Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has recovered two motorcycles, which were stolen in Nyarugenge and Nyagatare districts, and arrested three people in connection with the act.

The motorcycles were recovered in Gasabo and Gicumbi districts in separate operations conducted on Friday, July 22. They were reported stolen earlier that day.

One of the motorcycles, TVS registration number RE 517X TVS stolen in Mageragere Sector of Nyarugenge District, was recovered from two suspected thieves identified as Innocent Bizimana, 26, and Ciel Hakorimana, 37,
 in Mataba Village, Gatunga Cell, Nduba Sector of Gasabo District.

Another motorcycle, plate number RF 354 I, stolen in Nyagatare District, Kiyombe Sector, Kabungo Cell in Cyondo Village, was recovered in Rushaki Sector, Gicumbi District from one Eric Iradukunda, 24, who was also taken into custody.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern Province, said that the victim in the Nyagatare was ambushed.

"Police worked with taxi-moto operators. Through this community policing partnership and information sharing, Iradukunda was spotted by motorcyclists in Rushaki, Gicumbi District, who alerted the Police, leading to his arrest and recovery of the stolen motorcycle," said SP Hamdun Twizeyimana.

He thanked taxi-moto operators for their responsiveness to fight crimes.

Meanwhile, Bizimana and Hakorimana were tracked in Mataba, Nduba Sector where they were arrested in the bar at about 7pm, according to CIP Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali.

"The motorcycle was reported stolen at about midnight, but it had a GPS. This made it easy to track it and to arrest the suspected thieves," said CIP Twajamahoro.

The suspects were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) for further investigations.

Article 166 of law determining offences and penalties in general states that; any person convicted of 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.

In article 167, the penalty for theft doubles, if the offender committed the crime through burglary, climbing or possession of keys other than the owner; the theft is carried out during the night or the theft is carried out by more than one person.