Rwanda National Police

Following a tip from local residents, Rwanda National Police (RNP) successfully  conducted a targeted operation and  arrested two suspected electronics thieves in Giporoso Cell, Kanombe Sector in Kicukiro Distict.

Frederic Nizeyimana, 33 and Pascal Nsabimana 31, were arrested on June 17 at about 1:45am and are currently held at Kicukiro Police Station as further investigations.

The Police Spokesperson for Central Region, Superintendent Modeste Mbabazi, said that Police had earlier got information from an informant about a planned robbery – and acted fast to ensure that it did not take place.

“We had credible information that there would be an attempted robbery on that particular internet café. So our officers investigated and secretly carried out surveillance of the area. As expected, the thieves turned up and started drilling their way inside the café, using metallic substances and manual drillers. They were immediately arrested in the act,” Supt. Mbabazi said.

“This operation is a result of fruitful cooperation with residents, who provide timely information about wrongdoers and enable police to intervene and stop crimes from happening. Such criminals are very dangerous and could even harm lives if not stopped in time.”

Superintendent Mbabazi also disclosed that the two suspects had previously been investigated for a similar crime committed in Nyarugunga Sector, where they allegedly stole a flat television screen and violently assaulted a resident.

“Investigations show that these two suspects were also involved in another crime in Nyarugunga. We will carry out more inquiries to ascertain their link. We urge residents to continue providing information to police, which is a message to criminals that Rwandans are all working together to protect their lives and property.”

In a related case, a man in Masaka Sector, Gasabo District was arrested on June 16, when he attempted to sell a stolen television. Apparently the suspect was trying the sell the TV to its original owner, who immediately alerted police upon identifying his stolen gadget.

Article 300 of the Penal Code stipulates that theft without violence or threat shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of six months to two years and a fine twice to five times the value of the stolen property or one of the penalties – while theft with violence is condemned with seven to ten years in prison.