Lae police give suspects until 10am to surrender

Suspects have only a few hours left to surrender to Lae police before services to West Taraka are restored.

The four main suspects are wanted for the torching of the community hall that houses the police post at West Taraka.

Superintendent Operations Fred Kaiwa and his men were at the location yesterday, giving community elders until this morning to bring out the main suspects.

Chief Inspector Kaiwa said the suspects are known to police and their names had been handed over to community leaders to bring them in by this morning.

Five suspects, including a criminal wanted for several recent armed robberies, were picked up last night and are now undergoing police interrogation.

Kaiwa, who held a media conference before making the bold stand, said the burning down of the police force is revenge following the shooting of a wanted criminal on November 5.

Chief Inspector Kaiwa said on Monday night, between 10 and 11pm, the four main suspects and five other accomplices went to the building, chased the community elders who were there and set it on fire. They were allegedly under the influence of alcohol.

Police are on guard and working tirelessly around the clock to maintain law and order, even though they are under threats, stated the inspector.

Five homemade guns were recovered by police yesterday morning but more are believed to be in the hands of the criminals.

Chief Inspector Kaiwa appealed to residents to look after properties that bring vital services to the community.

The razed hall was built in 1973. It housed a police post that operates on a daily basis. The incident has given way to concern for a permanent police station to be built to serve this notorious suburb.

Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr is away attending the week-long Police Commissioners conference in Kimbe.

He said: “This is an attack on police and we will not treat it lightly and when police are disabled, the community will suffer.

“The police post also served as the community hall, where community leaders gathered and sorted out problems with the people. This does not stop Police from working in West Taraka.

“We will work even harder in this area and ensure that we flush out criminal elements,” Superintendent Wagambie Jr said.

(Acting Metropolitan Superintendent Timothy Pomoso and Supt Operations Fred Kaiwa at the media conference yesterday)

Author: 
Wendy Katusele