Villagers help police arrest suspected sea pirate

REMOTE villagers in Milne Bay arrested a suspected pirate and handed him over to police after his gang attempted to steal a dinghy in Alotau district, police commander Supt Peter Barkie says.
“These suspects attempted to steal a dinghy at Daio village.
“But the villagers fought with the suspects and apprehended one while three escaped,” he said.
“They then handed over the suspect to the police.
“He is now detained at the Alotau police station.”
Supt Barkie said the Daio village councillor had organised his villagers to address piracy and when the pirates struck the village, the villagers mobilised quickly and confronted them, arresting one while the rest escaped.
“So far we have detained four suspected pirates now after three were arrested at Kanakope passage in the Samarai-Murua electorate two weeks ago,” he said.
“The Piracy Act points to the death penalty so proper investigations have to be conducted,” Supt Barkie said.