Police

Lae metropolitan superintendent, Chris Kunyanban, made this statement after an ambulance crew was attacked at the Boinamo Gravel Road in the early hours of Thursday, the 28^th of October.

The St John Ambulance in Lae has so far encountered two attacks in the space of two weeks.

On Thursday, members of the community verbally abused them and threatened to smash the ambulance as they believed that they were conducting vaccinations in the communities.

Initially, 120 applicants were registered under the police reservist program but only 100 managed to successfully complete the three-month course.

In the presence of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Northern Command, Peter Guinness, and Morobe Governor, Ginson Saonu, the reservists proudly paraded in their new uniforms and conducted their newly-learnt drills.

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said the suspects forced open the back door and gained entry into the office.

“Therein the culprits stole two Lenovo laptops, a hard drive, a grass cutter, a headphone and a small safe containing K800 for officers’ patrol allowance.

“Anyone selling laptops of similar brand or any stolen properties must be reported to the police as it is an offence to buy stolen goods.”

Police believe one of the escapees that broke out from the police cells on Sunday, July 18^th, was involved in the incident.

Police Commissioner David Manning and Chief Commissioner for Customs, David Towe signed the MoU yesterday at the Police Operations Center; something that both agreed was the culmination of months of work from both parties.

According to Manning, this arrangement will not only allow the sharing of hard assets, but also human resources that will assist the police to be innovative and will strengthen its relationship with the customs service to help fight trans-national crimes.

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said the suspect had an argument with his wife when he discharged three shots into the air, creating fear within the community.

The incident was reported to the Lorengau Police Station, where officers visited the suspect’s house but he was not there.

They left a message with his parents, who eventually had their son surrender himself.

The suspect was interviewed and admitted to the offence.

The 23-footer with 40 HP engine, loaded with bags of betelnut, headed towards Manus from Madang on May 22^nd.

“It was expected to arrive at Manus on May 24^th,” said provincial police commander (PPC), Chief Inspector David Yapu.

PPC Yapu said nine days have passed but the six male and two female passengers are yet to reach their destination.

A search party was sent out but returned with little success.

TIPNG says while appreciating the measures to address the spread of COVID-19, comments made by the victims suggest that police actions may have gone beyond what is considered reasonable force.

 “The country has seen increase in violence in the last 12 months, this incident along with others such as the alleged shooting and killing of two men in Central Province, with allegations of police involvement, creates fear within the community and adds to lack of trust,” said TIPNG Board Chair, Peter Aitsi.

The Loneliness singer and his partner were arrested in Lae by the NCD armed robbery squad for the illegal use, and misuse, of motor vehicle.

Lae metropolitan superintendent, Chris Kunyanban, said a complaint was filed in Port Moresby, which was followed up by detectives from Boroko, who managed to apprehend the duo on Tuesday, April 20^th.

 “What happened was, they hired a vehicle without paying,” stated Chief Supt Kunyanban. “The wife hired the vehicle and they were using it without paying the dues back to the company that they hired the vehicle from.”

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said the security team, who were conducting sea patrol and surveillance on COVID-19, were monitoring people travelling from other provinces into Lorengau.

Based on a tip off, they raided a house at Papitalai village, where they recovered the drug cache and arrested the suspect from Maprik.

The drugs have a street value of approximately K10,000.

Thirty-two-year-old Bart Warampi, from Sarakum village, will appear in the Lorengau District Court on April 6^th.

Police in Manus Province reported that the deceased was tied with a rope and continuously assaulted by a group of men at Sopolau village in the Lelemadih-Bupichupeu Rural LLG, Lorengau, on 16th March.

Manus provincial police commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said the victim was left unconscious in the bush with ropes tied around him when he was found by villagers.

He sustained injures to his head and around his body.

He was taken to the Lorengau General Hospital but later died at the hospital at 5pm on March 17^th.