Rwanda National Police

Law enforcement agencies in Kicukiro District have arrested a suspected thief, who has been guising as a taxi-moto operator and snatching his passengers’ belongings.

Theogene Nsabimana, 40, was arrested Monday in Gitaraga Cell, Masaka Sector in Kicukiro District following several complaints from victims, some of them his clients and others he ambushed in late hours.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie Gorette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali said that law enforcement agencies and the cooperative of motorcyclists in Masaka have been working together to locate and arrest Nsabimana and other two people said to be part of the same theft ring.

“We understand that Nsabimana was working with other two people to snatch bags and other belongings, especially from women and girls. All the victims described Nsabimana and two other men still at large, as their attackers,” CIP Umutesi said.

Following the arrest of Nsabimana, a number of his victims showed up and indeed identified him as one of the men, who attacked them and stole their belongings that included mobile phones and money.

Most of the victims are women from Gitagara and Rusheshe cells in Masaka, who would be attacked on their way from Biryogo market. It is the second time he has been arrested over the alleged criminal acts.

Theft, under article 166 of the Law determining offences and penalties in general, provides an imprisonment sentence of between one and two years and a fine of between Rwf1 million and Rwf2 million, a six months community service or one of these penalties.
Meanwhile, the cooperative of commercial motorcyclists in Masaka also said that Nsabimana was not a registered motorcyclist and that “such unregistered members advantage of their being incognito to steal from their passengers.”

The federation of motorcycle cooperatives—FERWACOTAMO—is building a database and registering every commercial motorcyclist and owners of motorcycles, including installation of GPS, to help trace implicated wrongdoers, keep records of their members’ behavior and help them to take action against errand members including expelling them.