Villager charged with rape of minors

 A 28-YEAR-old man was arrested by police in Margarima, Southern Highlands, on Tuesday for double carnal knowledge involving two minors.

According to Margarima police yesterday afternoon, escapee Giaya Bereke held up two girls, one aged 8 and another 12 and raped them on Monday at Panduaka village in Upper Margarima.

A police source (Non commission officer John Sali) said Bereke was charged with rape and he was now behind bars and would appear in court early next month.

He said the suspect was a wanted criminal for four outstanding criminal offences including rape, wilful murder, robbery, grievous bodily harm and escaping lawful custody from Paiam police cell in Porgera in 2000 when serving a grievous bodily penalty.

The source said Bereke would be charged with the other charges as soon as police completed investigations into pending matters.

Police sources said the two girls were sent to Mendi hospital for medical checks and would submit medical reports to police.

In another incident, an escapee from Kerevat jail and Mt Hagen police cell was arrested by Margarima police last Saturday after he was caught stealing a pig worth K1000.

Police sources said Paul Angobe from Sagura village in Margarima was arrested in his village.

Angobe escaped from Kerevat jail in 1994 after engaged in a gang fight in prison and also from Mt Hagen police cell for another offence in 2001.

He said that Angobe was charged with stealing but police would lay further charges after they traced back his criminal record involving previous offences.  

The source said Angobe is now in police custody and would appear before the district court next month.

Police said apprehending of the criminals were part of ongoing festivity operations in Komo and Margarima areas.