Ten armed men allegedly robbed store, gang-rape woman

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
TEN men armed with guns and knives allegedly robbed a store and an individual and gang-raped a woman in Milne Bay – all on the same night last week, police said.
They allegedly held up the store owner at the Hagita Oil Palm Estate and escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash, cartons of biscuits and other goods, acting southern police commander Chief Supt John Maru said.
“They were all masked and held up two women who were in their way after robbing a store at about 11.30pm in Alotau, Milne Bay,” he said.
“They allegedly raped one of the women.
“The women have identified some of these suspects.”
Chief Supt Maru said earlier on, at about 8.30pm, the gang allegedly held up a man and took his mobile phones, bank cards, work identification (ID) card, boots and torch at Utula village near the Hagita Estate.
“They then forced him to remove his clothes and left him naked so that he would not raise the alarm quickly.
“These suspects were armed with two guns, knives and committed the offences the same night,” Chief Supt Maru said.
He said investigations were currently underway to arrest those involved in the crime.