Robberies started off working week in Lae

Another armed robbery has been reported by Lae Police at the start of a new working week as three armed suspects held up staff of Plumbtrade on Monday.

Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr confirmed the incident happened between 10am and 12 midday.

He said the three suspects had held up the staff in the administration office and made off with less than K3,500 in cash and an unspecified amount of cheques.

Wagambie Jr said after holding up the staff and getting hold of the takings, the suspects escaped in a waiting vehicle where they abandoned it close by and went on foot at Papuan Compound.

Police was alerted a few minutes after the incident and responded immediately. However, by then the vehicle had been abandoned already.

Police tracked on foot but the suspects had made a clean getaway. Last Monday, the Lae International Hotel was held up and also a clean escape was made, similar to Monday’s.

Meanwhile, a major supermarket at Eriku, Andersons, was broken into and goods stolen in the early hours of Monday morning.

Superintendent Wagambie Jr said this is very suspicious because Eriku shopping centre has so many security guards from different firms operating there. The matter has been reported to Police and the CID is working on it.

“Security firms are contracted to guard and protect premises which they are being paid to do, this is not acceptable … the shop is well lit up as well as clearly visible to everyone, including security guards at other shops,” an angry Wagambie Jr said.

He questioned why none of the duty guards raised the alarm.

Author: 
Wendy Katusele