The money was recovered from the prime suspect identified as Ildephonse Munyabarenzi, 28, in Rusizi Village, Ryankana Cell, Bugarama Sector in Rusizi District.
The Rwf4.8 million recovered in part of over Rwf7.8 million, which Munyabarenzi allegedly stole on May 26, from one Berthe Umwanankabandi in Ntarama Sector, Bugesera District.
Munyabarenzi is Umwanankabandi’s uncle. The former, who resides in Rusizi District, had visited his niece in Bugesera where he had spent two weeks before stealing the money as Umwanakabandi was away.
According to the victim, she withdrew Rwf7,879,590 from the bank earlier that day before and kept it in her bedroom. The money was for their local savings group of which Umwanankabandi is the treasurer.
She had, therefore, withdrawn the money which was to be shared amongst members of the saving scheme before her uncle allegedly broke into her bedroom where the money was kept, stole it and fled.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that following the alleged theft, the victim reported to the Police.
“As per the information provided by the victim to the Police in Bugesera, especially regarding the prime suspect–Munyabarenzi–and from where he hails; the District Police Units of Bugesera and Rusizi worked together to locate the whereabouts of Munyabarenzi,” CIP Karekezi said.
“He was on May 27, located in his home village in Ryakana Cell, Bugarama Sector in Rusizi District, where he was arrested with Rwf4,899,000. We are yet to establish where he put the remaining part of the alleged stolen money,” he added.
Munyabarenzi was handed over to RIB at Bugarama Police station for further investigation.
Article 166 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person convicted of theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six months or only one of these penalties.
The penalty for theft doubles if: the offender committed the crime through burglary, climbing or possession of keys other than the owner; the theft is carried out in an occupied house or in a building used for habitation or in its surroundings; theft is carried out during the night
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