Notorious criminal killed in Kokopo

A notorious criminal in East New Britain province Devete Taling was killed earlier today following a confrontation with locals at the Raniolo Community, a settlement on the fringes of Kokopo town.

Kokopo police personnel who responded to the scene have confirmed his identity, as Devete Taling from Vunamami number 1 village in Kokopo District.

A brief police report had indicated that on Sunday [23rd of March], the deceased and six others allegedly burnt down three houses at Raniola. All seven men were drunk.

At least two of the homeowners retaliated but were outnumbered by Devete and his gang.

Both men were seriously wounded during the encounter and were taken to the St Mary's Vunapope Hospital to seek medical attention.

The attack on the two men had prompted other members from the Raniola community to mobilize and staged a manhunt on Devete and his accomplices who were still within the area.

The gang was confronted by the angry members of the community who attempted to apprehend them through means of a citizen arrest before handing them to the police.

Police say Devete tried to resist the arrest and flee but was outnumbered by more than 50 men from the community who hacked on him indiscriminately resulting in his death.

The police responded to the incident only to discover the remains of the deceased criminal with various parts of his body dismembered.

The remains have been moved by the Criminal Investigation Division to the Nonga Provincial Hospital morgue.

The Kokopo Police Station Commander Senior Inspector Neil Weiba has confirmed Devete as a main suspect and mastermind in a series of armed robberies and various other major crimes committed in the province in recent months.

He was also wanted for escaping from lawful custody at the Kerevat prison in 2021 during a mass jail break.

He has since remained on the run until his death.

Police are yet to release a formal report surrounding his death.

Senior Inspector Weiba has urged the public in East New Britain to continue to work together with the police and help minimize law and order issues through means of citizen arrests.