Trio shot, wounded in armed robbery attempt
The National, Monday February 29th, 2016
EIGHT men in the Gigo settlement of Kimbe, West New Britain, have been arrested and charged with attempted armed robbery.
Three are in hospital wounded by police shots and five in custody awaiting court appearance, expected today.
Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Jim Namora said the suspects were allegedlly on their way to rob a bakery in Kimbe when police on special operations intercepted them last Friday.
The incident happened at 6.30am.
Namora said six of the suspects were from Yangoru, East Sepik, one from Warongoi in East New Britain and the other from Kandrian in WNB.
He confirmed that the suspects were arrested and charged with attempted armed robbery.
He said they were armed with a factory air rifle, three home-made pistols and other weapons.
They were in a mini van heading for the “crowded bakery”when police swooped on the van. Namora said three suspects were shot by police when they tried to escape through the crowd.
He said they were in hospital and five detained in the Kimbe police cells.
They were expected to appear in court today.
Namora said the suspects were been refused bail.
He said the rise of armed robbery cases in Kimbe was due to increase in police support given to Lae.