Rwanda National Police

Police in Muhanga have commended residents of Ruli in Shyogwe Sector for the community policing spirit in the recovery of the money that was stolen from a local beverages depot.

The money amounting to Frw1,185,000 was stolen on Sunday, December 27, from the beverages shop owned by one Pelagie Nyiramana located in Munyinya trading centre.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that the money was recovered from two suspected thieves identified as Christian Ntagengwa, 19, and Jules Habimana, 27.

He explained that the two suspects, on Sunday, went to Nyiramana's depot guising as customers.

"When they entered in the depot, Ntagengwa ordered for a soda to drink but Habimana called Nyiramana out as if he wanted to ask her something. Ntagengwa remained inside," SP Kanamugire said.

However, Nyiramana remembered that she left her bag that contained money inside the shop, where Ntagengwa was.

"When Nyiramana went back into the shop she could neither find the bag nor the money. She immediately called neighbours for help. Residents contained the two suspects, who had attempted to flee and called the Police. Officers, after listening to the victim, searched the suspects and recovered all the money in Ntagengwa's underwear."

According to Nyiramana, the two suspects were new, but had been roaming in the area.

The suspects hail from City of Kigali. Ntagengwa is a resident of Gikondo in Kicukiro District while Habimana hails from Remera in Gasabo District.

SP Kanamugire thanked the residents for the "spirit of neighbourhood watch" and quick response to facilitate the recovery of the money and arrest of the suspected thieves.
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Ntagengwa and Habimana were handed over to RIB at Nyamabuye station.

In article 166 of the law determining offences and penalties in general, any person convicted for theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of not less than Frw1 million and not more than Frw2 million, community service in a period of six (6) months or only one of these penalties.

However, in article 167, the penalty doubles if the theft was carried out by more than one person.https://police.gov.rw/media-archives/news-detail/?tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=15893&cHash=d47e22948f13ff5225ef2cbb91b1b0a7