Robbery gone wrong

By SYLVESTER WEMURU
AN armed man, who with others blocked a road and tried to rob a senior police officer driving home on Monday night, died after he was shot. Madang police commander acting Supt Mazuc Rubiang said he was driving along the North Coast Road at Nagada around 9.30pm when he came across a wrecked vehicle blocking the road.
“When I saw that, I stopped and came out of the vehicle to clear the road without knowing that the youths who were standing beside the road were armed with homemade guns, bush knives, catapult and other weapons,” acting Supt Rubiang said.
Acting Supt Rubiang called for backup and went back into his vehicle after realising that he was outnumbered.
He said there were 10 thugs who then pelted his vehicle with stones and rods.
Acting Supt Rubiang said when police officers arrived to assist him, the thugs fled.
“The criminals when seeing the police vehicles tried to run into the bush,” he said.
“One who was armed with a homemade gun and live ammunition was shot and wounded.
“The others ran towards Nobonob village.
“The man who was shot was one of the suspects (police believe was involved) in robberies along the North Coast Road in recent weeks.”
Acting Supt Rubiang said according to the information they received, the gang member had been planning to hold up and rob drivers and passengers on the North Coast Road.
He plans to have more police patrols along the road.
“This is a warning to the youths who plan to rob innocent people travelling along both the South and North Coast Roads that police will be patrolling along the roads,” he said.
Police are on alert after receiving reports of robberies.
“(We are) on full alert and will arrest and charge suspects who are armed (and) want to commit any criminal activities,” he said.
Acting Supt Rubiang wants people living in the area to help with information on those involved on Monday night at Nagada.