Quick response saves shop from looters

QUICK response by police in Alotau saved properties and money that were looted from a shop outside Alotau town last week, according to police.
Milne Bay police commander Superintendent Peter Barkie said the criminals who had planned the burglary set up three roadblocks before reaching the shop at Hagita where they looted it.
Barkie said the incident happened at night when the criminals went into the shop and cleaned out everything.
He said they then got the safe where the money was kept and were loading it onto the vehicle when police were informed of the incident.
He said police responded from Alotau Police Station towards the crime scene but had to clear the barriers on the way.
He said they went to the shop where they caught the criminals loading goods onto three waiting vehicles.
They were about to load the safe when police arrived.
They escaped leaving the money and the looted goods, Barkie said.
He said police were investigating.