Three shot in Alotau robbery

By MELYNE BAROI
THREE suspected armed robbers, including two women, were shot dead in a predawn police raid on a hill hideout in Alotau last Friday, Milne Bay commander chief inspector Peter Barkie says.
“The gunfight between police and the suspected robbers was triggered when police raided the hideout on the hill behind Mutuyuwa village on the western side of the town,” he said.
Barkie said the raid was conducted following intensive investigations into the K31,000 armed robbery of a trade store on May 29.
“We have identified the two dead women suspects who are in their 20s and a 29-year-old man,” he said.
“The man has been identified as one of the armed robbers who raided and robbed the Goilanai trade store.
“The robbery was captured on closed circuit security cameras.”
Barkie said following the robbery and intensive investigations: “We received information on a suspicious group camped behind the village.
“A special police operations team was then set up to raid the robbers’ hideout where about 15 people were camped.
“As police moved in at about 5am, shots were exchanged with the suspects fleeing in the dark.
“We then found three bodies.
“We have received assurance from the village leaders that they are willing to work with us to capture the rest of the suspects.”
“They (the village leaders) have also requested two weeks for them to work things out among themselves and to find the best way possible to round up the robbery suspects without police interference.”
Barkie said the majority of the robbery gang members were local youths and leaders needed to look into the problems and issues of youths venturing into crime.