Rwanda National Police

A motorcycle, which was stolen from a taxi-moto operator, was recovered by the Police in Rutsiro District on Friday, September 25.

The motorcycle TVS plate number RE 424W belonging to one Evariste Hafashimana, was taken from him on September 24.

It was recovered from one of the prime suspects identified as Bantegeye Jean Bosco in Manihira Sector.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that Bantegeye and his accomplice identified as Innocent Bazatsinda, still at large, connived to steal the motorcycle.

How the motorcycle was stolen

"On Thursday, September 24, Bantegeye and Bazatsinda, while implementing their hatched plan to steal Hafashimana's motorcycle, boarded two separate motorcycles. Hafashimana is one of the motorcyclists they boarded. Along the route, at about 8pm, they decided to both go on Hafashimana's moto as they continued the journey," CIP Karekezi said.

When they arrived at their final destination, Bazatsinda entered the house claiming that he was going to get money for the fares but did not come back.

This prompted Hafashimana to enter the same house to look for Bazatsinda leaving Bantegeye outside where the motorcycle was parked.

How the motorcycle was recovered

"Hafashimana, on coming out of the house, could neither find his motorcyle nor Bantegeye, he immediately informed other motorcyclists, who were nearby but also called the Police," CIP Karekezi explained.

Police and motorcyclists, he said, worked together to locate and arrest Bantegeye with the motorcycle although his co-conspirator escaped and the search for him is still underway.

He commended the solidarity of the motorcyclists, who were quick to respond and to facilitate the Police to recover their colleague's motorcycle and to arrest one of the prime suspected thieves.

Bantegeye has since been handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Gihango station.

CIP Karekezi further warned motorcyclists against transporting more than one person, which is a traffic offence, worse still in this period where if one passenger is infected with COVID-19 can easily infect others.