The Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) has confirmed that the prime suspect in a Port Vila armed robbery is a former member of the French Foreign Legion, who served around 2019.

Allegations had circulated on social media for the past four days, but yesterday it was officially confirmed that the mastermind of the robbery on December 29 is an ex-Legionnaire with operational experience.

The French Foreign Legion (Légion étrangère) is an elite, volunteer military corps within the French Army, known for accepting foreign nationals from around the world to serve in challenging overseas missions.

The Legion, established in 1831, is famous for its rigorous selection, demanding training, and unique traditions, including name changes and an emphasis on “honour and fidelity.”

Legionnaires serve in roles such as infantry, engineers, and airborne troops, undergoing intense physical and mental tests to build cohesion and serve France’s global interests.

Social media posts suggest the suspect was deployed in conflict zones, highlighting the level of military training and experience he may have gained.

The robbery, described as a “well-coordinated and professionally executed armed robbery,” took place at Bauerfield International Airport, a critical infrastructure site.

Western Union vehicle
Three suspects in a minivan with an unauthorised number plate closely followed a Western Union vehicle carrying cash to the airport.

The suspects blocked the vehicle at the Vanuatu Terminal Services Limited (VTSL) building, assaulted the driver, and stole NZ$700,000 (about VT49 million). They then escaped swiftly in the minivan.

The police launched an official investigation on December 30 at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Within three days, they started arresting suspects, thanks to strong collaboration with the community of Port Vila and support from the Government of Vanuatu through the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

A total of eight suspects have been arrested so far. Seven have been remanded at the Correctional Centre, including a female suspect, while the prime suspect remains in police custody.

Police Commissioner Kalshem Bongran confirmed that the .22-calibre firearm used in the robbery, the getaway vehicle, and 99 percent of the stolen cash had been recovered.

He also expressed gratitude to the public, the Vanuatu government and other stakeholders for their support in the investigation.

While the investigation continues, Commissioner Bongran urged the public not to take the law into their own hands and assured citizens, residents, and visitors that Vanuatu remained safe.

Republished from the Vanuatu Daily Post.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Papua New Guinea police have warned the public to take precaution with criminals now operating in large numbers in some suburbs of the second city Lae after an attack on University of Technology students.

Metropolitan police commander Chief Superintendent Chris Kunyanban issued the warning following the attack on Unitech when more than 30 armed criminals entered the female dormitory and robbed the students.

He warned such crimes were taking place at particular areas of Igam block, Stone Gat and East and West Taraka.

“These are the areas that criminals are operating in large numbers to steal small things such as household items to breaking and entering a store,” Chief Superintendent Kunyanban said.

According to police reports, the criminals stole mainly personal belongings such as laptops, phones and bags.

A female student was injured during the robbery when she tried to scream for help.

The student was admitted to hospital and police are continuing investigation.

‘Serious security breach’
“It is a serious security breach and the institution must be very considerate with the safety of its students, especially with female students or employees living in the campus,” Chief Superintendent Kunyanban said.

“Security should be sufficient to guarantee the students’ safety.”

He said police investigations were still underway to determine what really happened and how many things were stolen.

“It is also dangerous when you have a large number of people going around causing damage in the communities because the impact can be great and people can get injured like the recent incident,” he said.

Chief Supt Kunyanban said security measures on campus were internal matters of the institution.

According to police, more than 30 criminals went into the dormitory on early Friday morning and held up the students.

A student victim, who requested anonymity, said there were more than 10 men who broke into her room as she could not count.

‘Pointed guns at me’
“They pointed guns at me and were asking for my laptop,” she said.

She described the guns as brand new and almost all of the men had one.

“We couldn’t scream or call for help as we had guns pointed at us,” she said.

“One of the burglars asked for my phone and I told him that it was outside and he hit me on my side with a crowbar.”

She said the Uniforce arrived about 20 minutes later.

Men from the staff residential area arrived earlier and tried to pursue the robbers but without success.

Republished with permission.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Madang commander Acting Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang said police were tipped off about the planned hold-up of the bus, and they boarded it beforehand, pretending to be passengers.

Four bodies were taken to the Modilon Hospital while the fifth was buried at the site of the shooting. Other members of the attacking group fled the scene during the shooting on Saturday.

Rubiang said the men were believed to be from Madang town and had been involved in a lot of robberies on the main highway.

He said many passengers and drivers had been victims.

“Police received intelligence of a planned armed holdup of buses travelling from Madang, between Negeri and Naru on the Madang-Lae highway,” he said.

“Acting on that, officers travelled to Double Mountain and waited for the buses.

“At about 12pm, the first bus arrived and all passengers were offloaded onto a police vehicle.

Five disguised policemen
“Five policemen disguised as passengers then got on the bus.

“When nearing the location of the planned holdup, the officers sighted someone coming out of the bush and then going back again.

“About 50m from the location, about three armed gunmen came out and opened fire on the bus.

“About 50m from the location, about three armed gunmen came out and opened fire on the bus.

“Police returned fire and shot the (five) criminals.”

Rubiang said some men fled leaving behind a gun, other weapons and a mobile phone.

“It is believed that some (were wounded) and escaped towards the Naru river,” he said.

“They were pursued. At this moment we are monitoring the area.”

Rubiang said “enough is enough” and warned criminals to stop their attacks.

Gynnie Kero is a reporter for Papua New Guinea’s The National newspaper.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Pacific Media Watch Newdesk

A Kiwi photographer was stabbed last week during a roadside robbery in Papua New Guinea.

Colin Monteath, 71, and Australians Chris Hoy and Greg Mortimer had all their belongings stolen near the city of Mt Hagen while on their way to visit the popular destination Rondon Ridge Lodge, reports the Otago Daily Times.

Their car was stopped at a road block by six people armed with knives and axes.

READ MORE: PNG police minister to use social media to keep citizens safe

Monteath sustained machete wounds to his wrist when he refused to hand over his camera gear.

He survived because the weapon directly struck his wristwatch, which shattered upon impact, reports stuff.co.nz.

After the attack, a local woman helped find their car keys which had been thrown in the jungle.

They then drove to Mt Hagen Hospital where Monteath received surgery on his wrist and was discharged that same day, June 5.

At least six men have been arrested after the local community helped track them down.

Most of the stolen equipment was also recovered and returned.

Monteath told stuff.co.nz that the locals were very helpful and apologetic and he still loved Papua New Guinea despite what happened.

Australian Greg Mortimer said the incident was unfortunate but there are bad people all over the world, reports the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier.

Trans Niugini Tours owner Bob Bates, who runs Rondon River Lodge where the victims had been heading, said nothing like this attack had ever happened in the 13 years of their operation.

“It is just disgusting that the elderly tourists would be attacked the way the three men were,” Mr Bates said.

Monteath is a Christchurch based polar and alpine photographer who has been taking international geographic photos for magazines and books since 1973.

After returning to New Zealand, he told his family, “Unless you’re defending your family, never ever defend any material goods,” reports stuff.co.nz.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Pacific Media Centre Newsdesk

Three suspected members of an armed criminal gang in Papua New Guinea’s second city of Lae are dead following a botched armed robbery,  the PNG Post-Courier reports.

One of the gang members is lucky to be alive and is being treated at the Angau Memorial Hospital following a shoot-out with police at Downtown Lae yesterday morning.

Franco Nebas and Bradley Mariori report that the wounded included a police officer who suffered pellet wounds and the Chinese owner of the shop during the attempted hold-up at the city’s shopping centre.

Lae police metropolitan commander Chief Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr said the police chased the criminals from downtown, through Airways Avenue, on to China Town, and Bumbu Bridge, ending up at Busurum compound.

Wagambie said that in the running gun battle, police killed three armed men and wounded one on the left leg.

Loop PNG website’s Imelda Wavik reports that the suspects opened fire on police while travelling at high speed.

-Partners-

“A bullet penetrated the windscreen of a pursuing police vehicle and wednt out the back window, while another bullet hit the roof of the vehicle,” she reported.

“A [policeman] on board sustained pellet wounds to his left arm.

“Police could not immediately open fire for fear of injuring bystanders.”

Five armed men
Chief Superintendent Wagambie said the robbery took place about 9.30am when five armed men held up one of the owners of an Asian-owned shop at Downtown Lae, the Post-Courier said.

A police traffic unit on patrol near the scene was alerted when a shot was fired by the criminals at the security guards while the robbery was in progress.

The traffic unit alerted other units to block off escape routes but the criminals managed to drive through the road blocks, firing at the police while travelling at high speed, the Post-Courier said.

Wagambie said that a police vehicle in pursuit was shot at, the bullet penetrated the windscreen and wounded a police officer.

“Police could not return fire immediately because of the large number of people walking on the road as they have been instructed not to endanger the lives of public in such instances,” he said.

Meanwhile the escaping suspects abandoned the vehicle at Busurum Compound and escaped on foot while still firing at the police.

Wagambie said a lone special response unit member who sighted the suspects at the back of Malahang Technical College was fired upon and was forced to engage in a shoot-out with the four suspects.

He said from the shoot-out they were pushed further into the area between Sipaia and Hanta Compound.

Factory and home-made guns
Wagambie said they managed to retrieve two factory-made guns and a home-made gun and live ammunition in the vehicle used in the robbery.

“We believe there was also a high-powered rifle used, judging from the distance and impact the police vehicle received when fired upon by the suspects.

“I am warning criminal gangs in Lae, not to try such daring robberies. The response time for police now is fast. The criminals were quite daring to shoot at police, not only in one instance, but on more than seven encounters with police on vehicle pursuits and on foot.

“I could have lost a couple of good policemen … but thank God for his protection.

“A lot of members and the public could have been injured in the reckless shooting carried out by the escaping gang. Our police investigators are still working on the case.

“I lastly thank all of the police personnel in Lae who all did their part by backing up each other,” Wagambie said.

The Post-Courier reports that in a related incident, quick intervention by police stopped another attempted robbery near Kumalu wet crossing.

Gunshots were exchanged between police and the criminals, Bulolo police station commander Leo Kaikas said that the suspects were eventually caught arrested and locked up at Mumeng police station.

Franco Nebas and Bradley Mariori are PNG Post-Courier reporters and Imelda Wavik reports for Loop PNG.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz