Convicted criminal shot by police after escaping from courthouse
Madang police have revealed that a convicted prisoner who escaped from the Madang District Court last Tuesday passed away while receiving treatments from gunshot wounds.
Police identified the young man as Mathew Kawat Wus, whom they described to be a Madang-based wanted criminal.
Soon after sentencing, Wus was shot and recaptured last Friday, November 28, whilst resisting police apprehension and attempting to escape.
He was sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Madang District Court last Tuesday for being in possession of Controlled Substance, however; escaped from the court's premises before he could be taken away to Beon Gaol.
Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Robert Baim said police received intelligence reports of Mathew's whereabouts and proceeded to conduct a midnight raid in the 26 area of Ward 8, Madang Urban LLG.
The combined raid, consisting of the Madang Rapid Response Unit, Trans-National Crime Unit, and National Criminal Intelligence Unit, found Mathew sleeping inside the church building.
"Upon sighting police, the Madang- based wanted criminal and escapee, aka Robin Hood, resisted police apprehension and attempted escape. That's when he was shot, wounded, recaptured, and taken to the Madang Provincial Hospital's Emergency Unit, but passed whilst undergoing medical treatment for gunshot wounds." PPC BAim said.
Besides the Controlled Substance case that he was convicted of last Tuesday, police records further revealed that Mathew was also wanted by Madang police for a string of serious crimes, including,
- Furama Kaibar Armed Robbery on 13 Sept. 2024
- Armed Robbery at Kalapi Scrap Metal Ltd on 10 Jan. 2025
- Armed Robbery at Rempri Mart on 1 Feb. 2025
- Airport Rd Armed Hold-up on 3 Feb. 2025
- Attempted Hold-up, Wilful Damage & Wounding on 16 Feb. 2025
- Attempted Hold-up and Wilful Damage of Madang Resort Hotel Bus on 7 July 2025 and
- Attempted Hold-up at Tanget Bookshop on 1 Sept. 2025
The late Mathew was from Sotmeri in the Wosera/ Gawi District of East Sepik Province but resided at Bilia Maus Rot with his family.
Following this incident, Superintendent Baim has reiterated calls for all wanted criminals who are continuing to evade police arrest to immediately give themselves into the law or face the same treatment and consequences as the late Mathew.