A high-stakes police operation in the Gusap area of Markham District in Morobe province has left two people dead and a stolen vehicle recovered, following weeks of investigation. The vehicle — a white Toyota Land Cruiser belonging to JV Construction Ltd — was reported stolen in May from the company’s Walium Station site in Madang Province. On the night of June 30, police acting on a local tip-off intercepted the vehicle near Yang Creek. According to Acting Madang Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Robert Baim, officers from the Ramu Police Station attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over. “In an effort to halt the vehicle, police discharged their firearms at the tyres. The vehicle then veered off the road and crashed into construction rubble,” Baim said. A female passenger, identified as Priscilla Sam of Ragizaria village in Markham, was thrown from the vehicle. She sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Gusap Government Clinic. Four male suspects who were in the vehicle fled the scene, engaging in a shootout with police. The following day, the body of one suspect, Simon Ging — also from Ragizaria — was discovered by locals near Yang Creek. He had sustained a gunshot wound. Police said the stolen Land Cruiser had been disguised with fake registration plates, changed from LCA-60 to ICB-772, and was believed to be in the process of being sold before the interception. Superintendent Baim confirmed that the identities of the remaining suspects are known and that efforts are underway to locate and apprehend them with the help of the local community. A coronial inquest has begun, and the investigation is continuing.