Rwanda National Police

Three motorcycles recovered from suspect thieves in Nyagatare District have been handed over to the rightful owners.

The bikes were recovered separately from four thieves. Two of the motorcycles; RE 702K and RB 312E recovered back in February from two thieves identified as Janvier Sebanani and Jean Paul Niyomuremyi, who were convicted of the crime and serving their prison sentences, were handed over to the owner Vital Bemeriki, on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Another motorcycle; RD 686P was recovered on April 9, in Rukomo Sector from the suspected thief identified as Moise Manishimwe. It was reported stolen on April 6, in Tabagwe Sector.

According to Theogene Munyengabe, the rightful owner of the motorcycle (RD 686P), he gave it to one Manirambona, who had it at the time it was stolen in the trading centre in Tabangwe, where he had parked it.

Manirambona said he parked it, went into the bar but later came out for a private phone call leaving the motorcycle key on the table.

“When I went back into the bar I couldn’t find the key where I had left it, I rushed outside only to find that the motorcycle is gone too,” Manirambona said.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdum Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said: “Manishimwe was stopped in Rukomo and asked to produce traffic related documents for the motorcycle only to find that the ones he had belonged to another person.”

He added: “The documents Manishimwe had were in the names of one Emmanuel Uwimana. Uwimana was also tracked and Police officers found him with documents belonging to Manishimwe, it later came to light that the motorcycle he (Manishimwe) was riding was stolen and these two were allegedly working together to steal motorcycles. The two suspects were taken into custody and handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau.”

Article 166 of the new penal code specifies 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.