Rwanda National Police

Residents of Musanze District have been lauded for their community policing spirit in fighting and preventing crimes and ensuring the overall security.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Jean Bosco Mwiseneza, the Police spokesperson for the Northern region, said that the community policing spirit is high among the local residents which has strengthened collaboration and information sharing on people suspected to be engaged in lawlessness.

While thanking the residents on Saturday, January 6, SP Mwiseneza highlighted some foiled crimes and people arrested over assorted crimes, largely because of the close collaboration with the Police and other law enforcement and security organs.

The spokesperson particularly mentioned the Friday theft of a motorcycle, which has since been recovered.

The motorcycle, registration number RF 673U, was reported stolen on Friday night, 5, when thieves broken into a house where it was, located in Kabeza cell, Cyuve sector.

SP Mwiseneza said that the motorcycle was recovered some hours later in Kabeza village, Kabeza cell in Cyuve Sector, from a suspected thief, who was also taken into custody.

The 41-year old suspect was handed over to RIB for further investigations.

"We thank residents for taking the lead in safety and security matters in their communities and reporting suspected criminals.

The information they provide, like this motorcycle, helps the Police and other entities to recover what has been lost and to bring the suspect to justice," the spokesperson said.

Theft is punishable under article 166, of the law determining offences and penalties in general.

It provides for an improvement of between one and two years and a fine of between Frw1 million and Frw2 million, a community service of six months or one of these penalties.

However, the penalty doubles if the crime was committed at night, climbing, using a forged key or by more than one person.