A man is behind bars in Mt Hagen Police station and his accomplices are on the run after an attempted robbery gone wrong on Tuesday in Western Highlands. According to Mt Hagen Police, the attempted robbery has also left a Guard Dog Security officer wounded in the face by a gunshot. Police Duty Officer, Constable Kelly Tombon told PNG HAUSBUNG the incident happened at around 4am on Tuesday. Up to fifteen criminals armed with bushknives, axes, a factory-made magnum pistol and a M-16 rifle attempted to rob CASA Hardware at Tega. Tombon said the criminals pried open the gates with a bolt cutter, overpowered two Guard Dog Security guards and tied them up. However, a third guard whom the criminals did not see, quickly radioed their rapid response unit as well as Mt Hagen Police. The criminals were said to have worn masks during the robbery attempt. When the additional security colleague arrived on scene, the criminals escaped. In the escape a criminal with the M-16 rifle shot at a guard dog vehicle, injuring a security guard on the cheek. The guard is currently in Mt Hagen General Hospital, recovering. Police added nothing was stolen in the attempt. One suspect has been caught and is undergoing interrogation as investigations continue.