Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr

Four suspects arrested for arson

Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr said all suspects are residents of Gekz Compound.

“However, the prime suspect is still on the run and police are still looking for him. We are working with community members to track him down,” Wagambie Jr said.

The Lae Police Boss added that, the Voco Point area remains closed to public use for the time being.

Voco Point market to cease: Lae Police

“There will not be any market stalls in the Voco Point area; those market stalls enabled the settlers to earn a living. They will not do that now, because there is no Police (presence), their boys are responsible for the fire so they will not be entertained in the area,” Wagambie Jr said.

The Lae Police Boss made the statement following arson of Voco Point Police Station on Sunday morning by youths residing around the vicinity of the station.  

Lae Police will not be intimidated: Wagambie

Wagambie Jr said the police station was burnt to the ground in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The Lae police boss said, it was a retaliation attack by youths residing at Gekz Compound after police arrested suspects involved in a robbery on Saturday.

“I am disgusted with what has happened. This is the second Police post in few months to be torched down by hooligans. A few months ago we had West Taraka (police station) burnt down,” Wagambie Jr said.

Pelgens shop robbed at Chinatown

“At about 4pm a group of seven armed men held up staff at the Pelgens at China town,” Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr said.

“Police were at the station and made after the men on foot, cutting off their escape routes and managed to apprehend two suspects involved in the robbery.

“The suspect had in his possession a bag containing five homemade guns and a knife. The rest of the suspects escaped. The suspect caught has identified the other suspects so Police will be catching up with them soon.”

Police shoot and kill armed escapee in Miles area in Lae

According to Lae Police the incident happened at the notorious Miles section of the Highlands Highway.

Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr said a group of armed men were attempting to hold up vehicles travelling along Five-Mile.

“Three-Mile Police were on routine patrol when they came across two vehicles that stopped them and reported that a group of thugs had attempted to hold them up with guns and consequently stoned them when they didn't stop.

Women are getting involved in crime says Wagambie Jnr

Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr revealed this following eye witness accounts of women involved in two separate crimes committed so far.

“Female suspects are being used in the commission of crime in the city as cover ups and this is now happening,” Wagambie Jr said.

He said according to eye witnesses, a female suspect was the off sider of the tenth seater that was used as a getaway vehicle during the Lae International Hotel armed robbery two weeks ago.

Wagambie Jr said crimes were being planned and organised with the involvement of females.

Lae Police bring in drones to help fight crime

Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr in a press conference made the announcement yesterday saying it will ease some problems faced by police in carrying out investigations.

The drones are first to be introduced to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, is set to help subdue criminal activities in the light of recent arm robberies occurring in the second biggest city in the country.

Robber shoots accomplice in Lae robbery twist

A gang of five had held up a family and in the event a fight broke out with one of suspects killing the other.

Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr said two suspects including the one who pulled the trigger have been apprehended and charged with armed hold up and murder.

He said two other suspects are still on the run and police are investigating with arrests to be made soon.

Meanwhile, a suspect was picked up by police yesterday in relation to the break and enter at Andersons Foodland last Monday.

Lae police assure public, firms of planned safety operations

Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr said this while denying there was a string of robberies that took place last Monday.

He said robberies on business houses were well planned, with insiders giving information for a clean getaway.

“I want to assure the public that we (Police) have coordinated and planned operations in place to cater for the public and business houses,” Wagambie Jr said.

Eriku in standstill over hostage hoax

Business and public transport came to a standstill as many joined the public to watch the event.

Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr said security guards had sighted some suspicious youths wondering in the shops and sensed an armed holdup looming, therefore they closed the shop. However, minutes later, word got around there was a holdup taking place.

The exaggerated information resulted in people running and shouting there was a holdup.