The money was recovered on Wednesday, February 22, from three suspected thieves, who were also taken into custody.

Over Frw980,000 was allegedly stolen from a shop located in Karongi town, earlier that morning, according to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Mucyo Rukundo, the Western Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO).

"The theft was reported by the victim prompting a swift search for the suspected thieves. The victim suspected a man, who masqueraded as a client earlier that morning but left as the shop attendant went in the store to get him the goods he had ordered," CIP Rukundo said.

The prime suspect, he added, is among the three people that were arrested with part of the money later in the evening.

The man who was guising as a customer had an accomplice outside and they left on a motorcycle.

"The two suspects and a third member of the group were located and arrested at a bar in Rubengera sector where they were having a drink. They were found in possession of Frw848,800. They had already used the other part of the stolen money," CIP Rukundo said.

The trio was handed over to RIB at Rubengera station 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 (1) year and not more than two (2) 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 (1) person.