Robbers hold up amoured vehicle in ESP

By GABRIEL FITO
AN armoured security vehicle carrying an undisclosed amount of money was held up along the Sepik highway last Friday.
Maprik police station commander Chief Sgt James Baugen said the vehicle, belonging to a named security company, was taking its client’s money from Wewak to Maprik when it was held up at Wamaiang village near Yangoru.
He said the robbers, armed with two AR15 rifles, a pistol, a Winchester and an axe, held up the vehicle and made away with a very substantial amount of money while the armed security guards stood helpless as they escaped into the bushes.
Baugen, who arrived at the scene about 20 minutes later, learnt that the security guard in the vehicle had watched the robbers loot the vehicle get away even though he still had his gun.
Police said the circumstance surrounding the hold-up was very suspicious and they believed that it was an inside job.
Police also said people in that particular area did not have such high-powered firearms and, therefore, could not be blamed for the incident until all circumstances surrounding the robbery were established.
Police are still investigating the incident.
Meanwhile, Baugen said such incidents involving private security guarding substantial amounts of money often occur under highly suspicious circumstances.