Lae Police have reportedly shot a number of suspects after an early morning raid, conducted at the West Taraka settlement.
Alleged suspects who were injured have reportedly escaped.
Police believe one of the suspects was severely injured but have not been able to retrieve him.
The raid was conducted by members of the Mobile squad, Task Force and the Criminal Investigation Division.
Lae Metropolitan Commander Chief Superintendent, Anthony Wagambie, says the weapons and other items, collected from the raid, may have been used in carrying out armed robberies in the city.
The items recovered from the raid included, live ammunition, homemade guns, uniforms from three different companies in Lae and nine hand-held radios.
Commander Wagambie, added the alleged criminals were engaged in a shootout with police.
Police believe the string of robberies that were being committed in the city were by this particular gang.
Wagambie warned individuals who are supporting criminal activities in terms of vehicles, boats and funding to stop immediately. He is also assuring the business community that since the start of the special operation there has been a decline in criminal activities.
The Lae Metropolitan Commander, says the gang includes some of the notorious criminals in Lae, and police believe these gang members are responsible for the spate of robberies happening in the city in the last three months. He added that the gang is directly linked to the Lae International Hotel and the Pelgen’s robbery, as well as other major robberies.
