Criminals Using Taxi Cabs to Commit Crimes in Port Moresby

NCD Metropolitan  Superintendent Gideon Ikumu said criminals are using taxis to commit crimes  because their chances of stealing cars in the city is being restricted by effective police responses.

Mr Ikumu made this comment after five suspects were seen leaving a crime scene in a red and white cab in Gordon yesterday. 

A video footage captured by CCTV showed five armed men robbing customers and staff at the KMC fast food shop at Gordon yesterday.

Mr Ikumu said the cab driver could be a suspect or a victim in this crime.

He said in a similar incident recently, criminals used a cab and attempted to hold up a delivery truck at 8 mile but the driver evaded this crime by reversing away from the suspects.

When police impounded a red and yellow cab, the driver said, they put a gun to his midriff and attempted to rob the truck. 

The cabby said a suspect held him at gun point while others went after the truck. He said they returned and forced him to drive away from the crime scene.

 Another taxi cab was also used early this month to rob some people at Badili before police gave chase and recovered the abandoned taxi at Vanagi settlement.

These string of crimes involving taxis point to a new modus operandi used by criminals to commit crimes Mr Ikumu said.

He said the effective police responses in NCD Metropolitan command is resulting in the quick recovery of stolen cars. 

He said criminals steal cars purposely to use them 

as getaway vehicles.

"We are restricting their crimes and that's why they are resorting to this new method." The Met-Supt said.

He cautioned taxi drivers to be wary of such tactics adopted by criminals. 

He said a plan to clamp down on this new crime is being mooted within the command.

Pictures: The red and white cab used in the KMC robbery yesterday; the red and yellow cab used in the botched 8 mile truck robbery; the blue and yellow cab recovered at Vanagi settlement; and Metropolitan Superintendent Gideon Ikumu.

Police Media / PNG Today

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