Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has arrested five members of the same ring connected to series of theft, especially in City of Kigali.

The group of youth, all men, are particularly behind the violent theft on April 10, along Sonatubes-Rwandex road in Kicukiro District where they allegedly assaulted a man and stole his phone and money.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali said Monday, April 24, that four of the suspects were arrested in Kigali while the fifth member was arrested in Mukarange, Gicumbi District where he was hiding.

"The five delinquents arrested separately, belong to the same racket connected to series of burglaries since 2021, including the recent one on April 10, when they attacked a pedestrian at about 01a.m, assaulted him, stole his money and smartphone," CIP Twajamahoro said.

The victim working at a bar and restaurant in Kicukiro, was that night returning home from work.

That night, CIP Twajamahoro said, the same group pelted stones at a vehicle as the driver came out to rescue the man whom they were assaulting.

It is the same driver that first reported the violent theft that night, although the group had already fled when Police arrived shortly after.

"Police in partnership with the public managed to identify and apprehend one member of the group, who named all his accomplices," said CIP Twajamahoro.

All the five suspects graduated from Nyamagabe rehabilitation center in January this year.

There are reports that a mother to one of the suspects was aware of his criminal acts and was shielding him. Her second son is also arrested recently over theft.

"It is so unfortunate that some parents shield their children and worse still seem to be happy with the criminal activities they engage in," CIP Twajamahoro said.

Prince Rubera, the driver who called the Police, said that as he was going home that night, he witnessed a group of youth assaulting a man.

"I stopped and tried to rescue the man but the group, which was armed with stones also attacked me, they started pelting stones at my vehicle and vandalized one of my car glasses. As they were attacking me, it gave a window for the victim to escape from them.

I reported the incident to Police officers, who were on patrol along Sonatubes-Rwandex road," Rubera narrated.

CIP Twajamahoro said that Police has strengthened its operations particularly against theft and that many others have so far been arrested in different parts of Kigali.

"We urge the public to always share information in real time, enhance community policing and neighborhood watch in particular."

Article 168 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, provides an imprisonment of between five and seven years and a fine of between Frw3 million and Frw5 million for any person convicted violent theft.