A suspect involved in the K1.2 million heist at the Jackson’s Airport in 2016 was recaptured on Saturday after escaping for the second time last year.
Joel Taha Ruana alias Taberi aged 40 from Wasuma village, Rigo in the Central Province, is one of five suspects involved in robbing a logging company pay run at the Tropic Air hanger at the Jacksons Airport in 2016.
Four of his accomplices were arrested, charged and are now serving jail time at the Bomana prison.
Joel escaped from lawful custody in 2016, was recaptured in 2019 but escaped again in 2020. Commander of NCD Central Assistant Commissioner Anthony Wagambie Junior said, members of the NCD Armed Robbery Squad received a tip-off and they followed a PMV carrying Joel from Waigani to Downtown.
Joel disembarked and was having lunch with a female companion when a detective walked into the restaurant and arrested him at gun point.
In the commotion, the woman slipped away and could not be arrested. Mr Wagambie praised his team for recapturing this dangerous criminal.
Source: POLICE – NCD/Central Divisional Command FB page