Eight people suspected to be part of the gang behind several robberies around Kigali, especially targeting electronics, have been arrested.
They were arrested in a two-day targeted operation conducted by Rwanda National Police (RNP) in the sectors of Gisozi and Remera in Gasabo District.
The suspects are detained at Gisozi police station.
They are Lambert Nzaramba alias Boringo, 28, Alphonse Nzabamwita 25, Donatien Munyaneza 36, Anatole Shyirakera 31, Aman Masengo 27, Albert Habamugisha 28, Dieudonne 23, and the 18-year old Daniel Mategeko.
The suspected burglars arrested in an operation conducted on 29th and 30th January include housebreakers and their customers, who would buy the former’s stolen goods.
Police also recovered a wide range of stolen electronics which include 52 mobile phones, 24 car radios, and over 10 television sets, six of them flat screens.
Other recovered goods include home theatres, Ipads, computers, DVD players and stabilizers.
Some of the electronics were recovered in Rusizi District.
One of the suspects, Boringo, a resident of Kacyiru in Gasabo, who narrated how they would break into houses, confessed to the crime and begged to be pardoned.
“I and my colleague (Niyibizi) would identify houses and make plans on how to break in. In most cases, if it was a bar, we would make frequent visits there and pretend to be customers, only to spy and plan how to break in to steal targeted electronics,” Boringo narrated to journalists.
“Some of the stolen electronics would be sold in Gatsata where we had the market while others are taken upcountry,” he added.
Police Spokesperson, Superintendent Theos Badege said investigations are still on to unearth all those involved in these criminal acts and recovered other goods that could have been stolen.
“This is a serious crime that might even take one’s life, which requires all parties to join hands to fight and prevent it by tightening night patrols. Most of these burglars are loiterers and can easily be identified in communities,” said Supt Badege.
“Security organs and Rwanda National Police in particular, can’t be at all houses, but as responsible citizens, they can cooperate with all institutions to secure our communities and property,” he added.
“We are gifted to have a government that has laid better strategies to support even the poor to start small income generating activities and their children attaining free education. People should take such advantages and desist from such criminal and dangerous acts,” Supt Badege explained.
Under Article 300 of the penal code, theft without violence or threat is punishable with a term of imprisonment of six months to two years and a fine of two to five times the value of the stolen property or one of these penalties, if convicted.
However, under Article 301, if the theft is committed through housebreaking, climbing or fake keys; the theft is committed during the night in an occupied house; the maximum penalty under Article 300 of this Organic Law is doubled.
The recovered goods were taken to different Police Stations in Kigali where owners can go with relevant documents to reclaim them.
RNP
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