Nine suspects are on the run and in hiding following reports of a pack rape that had occurred in Kavieng, New Ireland province during the independence weekend.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Albert Beli, when speaking to PNG Hausbung stated that police are now working to apprehend all suspects and he is calling on the wider communities in the area to assist in their capture.
The PPC stated that the men, all under the influence of alcohol, committed the offence.
“The woman was taken to the police station and then to the hospital to be treated. She is under medication,” said the PPC.
He said according to preliminary reports, this is the result of consuming homemade alcoholic drinks.
PPC Beli is calling on villagers in the surrounding areas to assist police to hunt down the suspects.
“I would like to make a call out to all the communities and wards to help out in apprehending the culprits in this case. We are yet to identify the suspects.”
Meanwhile, he also reported that the Kavieng Village Resort experienced a break in during the same period. A few armed youths stormed into the resort, leaving everything and taking only alcoholic beverages on the shelves.
At the moment police are working to establish how much was taken during the robbery.