A man who resides at Akuku village along the Hiritano Highway some kilometres outside of Port Moresby had been identified by police as the main suspects involved in stoning one of Saint John’s Ambulance on Wednesday 21st November, 2024.
Central Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Joseph Salle had confirmed that police acted on the same day when the matter was reported. He said police responded and identified the man, and his parents were told to bring the suspect forward.
“While police were investigating that matter of ambulance stoning it was also alleged that some of the boys who were with the main suspect conducted an illegal road block at Doa Rubber plantation and were extorting money from the vehicles passing through. The Central Quick Response Force (QRF) were notified who responded in the night and apprehended six of them. The six who were arrested were also identified as some who were involved in the stoning of the ambulance, PPC Salle said.
He further added that the six who were arrested on Sunday night will be integrated to name those who were with them at the stoning of the Saint John’s Ambulance. He said the six will be charged for conducting illegal road blocks.
He said police officers who apprehended them had also identified some in the group as regular officenders along the highway.
“I want the public to report to police and make sure their complains are registered, especially when they come across illegal road block. This is for police records, so if police on Patrol apprehend such people, they can use the previous complains to charge suspects accordingly.
I want to thank the police officers for always making sure the highways are free for the public to use. There are many challenges, but we manage to make sure our people are safe, PPC Salle said.
He further added that there are no police posts along the highways from Port Moresby to Doa along Hiritano Highway and from Kwikila to Port Moresby along the Maggi Highway. There is a big gap for criminals to take advantage of to commit crimes, but police officers are always on the road to make sure the highways are free.