Rwanda National Police

Police in Kigali foiled two separate burglaries on Thursday night to send a stun warning against break-ins that has increased in the recent past.

 Two men were also arrested in the two separate incidents that happened in Nyarugenge and Gasabo Districts.

 The suspects, Desire Ndabarushimana and Jean d'Amour Bajyimbere were identified and reported to Police by the would-be victims and officers arrived in time and arrested them, according to Supt. Modeste Mbabazi, Police spokesperson for the Central region.

 “Ndabarushimana was found in the ceiling in a residential house in Kimironko Sector, Gasabo at about 11:00 pm; another suspect, Jean d'Amour Bajyimbere was caught red-handed also trying to break into a residential home in Nyarugenge,” said Supt. Mbabazi.

Ndabarushimana and Bajyimbere are currently held at Kimironko and Nyarugenge police stations respectively, as investigations continue.

It is believed the suspects had targeted electronic gadgets, the most stolen item in house break-ins.

“While the likelihood of this happening is small, you should be aware of what you can do to keep yourself and your property safe. By working closely together and immediately alerting Police, we will collectively fight and overcome such incidences and keep our societies safe and secure,” said Supt. Mbabazi.

He also called on residents to strengthen neighborhood watch and night patrols, adding that police networking with residents is a value addition to crime detection and prevention.

He further urged residents who lost their gadgets to report to the nearest police stations for quick investigations.

“Police has intensified hunt for burglars around the country following several reports of break-ins.”

Early this month, Police arrested over 50 notorious burglars said to have been behind a wave of theft of electronics in various Kigali city suburbs.

Several recovered items that include about 200 television sets and computers are stored at Kigali Metropolitan Police showrooms in Remera waiting for the rightful owners to collect them.

Police says victims should come with documents indicating that the recovered items actually belong to them.

Article 300 of the Penal Code stipulates that anyone found guilty of theft without violence or threat shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of six months to two years and a fine of two to five times the value of the stolen property or one of the penalties.