Lae Police

Lae police report that he had escaped from Buimo Correctional Services and was apprehended, sent back only to escape again when he was transferred to Barawagi CS, Simbu.

“Police had been receiving telephone calls that there had been attempted armed hold up in the area. SRU 104 was on routine patrol when they came across the escapee, who was armed with a homemade gun,” police stated.

Police intervened where the suspect was shot in the leg and apprehended.

Metropolitan superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr, clarified that this does not include residential areas and established markets that trade betelnut.

“We are seeking your opinion if we should ban this at Top Town, Eriku shopping centre, bus stops and other public areas,” he said.

“We continue to have street sales because there is a market for it, meaning people continue to buy betelnut and cigarettes from these street vendors. If people stop buying then there would not be a reason for them to sell.

The identification of perpetrators and their apprehension, leading to formal arrests, has been made possible through the use of CCTV.

“The 63 arrests have been made by Market Police and Special Response Unit 101 members,” said metropolitan superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr.

“These are mainly street vending, drunk and disorderly behaviour and traffic offences at the bus stop. Unauthorised PMV crew or most commonly called ‘K5 boss crew’ here in Lae have also been apprehended and arrested.

The two cameras, brought in from China, were installed on the 7^th of April, and have seen the arrest of over 20 offenders under a week.

On Saturday, police apprehended and arrested six men for petty crimes.

One was seen tampering with a parked vehicle in an attempt to gain entry.

Since the installation of the two CCTV cameras last weekend, Police have reported an orderly market area and bus stop.

Lae metropolitan superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr, attributed this to the support of three members of the Chinese community in Lae.

“We were approached by them and asked how they could help Police in securing a safer community in Lae,” he stated.

“Lae Market was identified as one of our ‘hot spots’ where petty crimes, street selling, vehicle tampering and general harassment of the public took place.

“This was agreed upon and two High Definition rotating CCTVs were purchased from China and brought into Lae.

The Special Response Unit 102 patrol area covers Nawaeb Block and Miles area up to Nadzab. There are always two units on patrol within the area at all times.

Today at about 11am, one of the SRU 102 patrol was travelling inbound Lae City when they came across three armed men. The three were standing in the middle of the road, attempting to hold up vehicles travelling on the opposite of the freeway – driving out of Lae.

On March 15^th, community leaders at Four-Mile Kandis Market reported to police a missing person using the Lae police emergency toll free number.

Three-Mile police attended and were told that a man and his wife had gone to their garden early in the morning, at about 5.30am, but the husband returned alone at around 10am and reported that his wife had gone missing.

A search conducted by the community proved to be unsuccessful.

Police gave them until the next day to continue searching or to wait and see if she returns home.

Lae police claim the incident occurred on the 13^th of March, 2019, at about 2.30pm.

The principal, who is also a director of a private school at Papuan Compound, had abused the trust of the small girl, aged 10 years old. The girl is a relative to the suspect from his wife's side.

“The school is located next to his residence where he told the child to go to the house where he will photocopy some paper for her,” Lae police report.

“It was there that the child was allegedly abused by the principal.

Lae metropolitan superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr, said police have been making an average of about 15 arrests a day.

“I have issued directives that there will be no spot fines issued to those offenders. Police will only make arrests when they are caught in the act,” he stated.

“Spot fines were previously issued by the City Council but this has not had any effect.

“It also has the tendency of being abused where accepting bribes crept in.

The issue is being addressed jointly by Lae police management and the Office of Member for Lae, John Rosso.

“I had called for the removal of new illegal squatter settlements last year. A working committee was set up but it has somewhat slowed down on its efforts. I will again push for this as the bulk of street sellers and petty criminals come from these new illegal settlements,” said Lae metropolitan superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr.