Lae Police

This was the warning Lae metropolitan superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr, gave to settlers after the police shootout at Five-Mile early Saturday morning.

During the gunfight, a suspect was killed while two others were in critical conditions.

A few hours later, the Lae police boss conducted an awareness at the Five-Mile market.

“I warned the community that they must appeal to the youths to stay away from crime. They were man enough to confront police so they met their fate,” Wagambie Jnr said in a statement.

Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr while assuring public that police will not use firearms  but will not hesitate to shoot if fired upon, said the two suspects are confirmed dead.

Wagambie Jr said the two  involved in the armed robbery and shootout were part of the gang that opened fired on Police at West Taraka as they were making their getaway while Police were in pursuit.

The Superintendent said the police vehicle sustained damage from the bullets fired at them and it was then that Police engaged the suspects by returning fire.