According to the Eastern region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the suspects identified as Fred Rutazihana, 26, and Theoneste Hategekimana were apprehended with some of the electronics stolen in Gishari.

In the night of January 7, thieves broke into the house of Colette Mukundirehe and stole a flat television set, computer laptop, four smart-phones and a home theatre.

“Fortunately, when thieves were trying to sell the stolen electronics on black market the following day, one of the would-be buyers got suspicious and called the Police. The duo was at the time arrested with the laptop stolen from Mukundirehe,” said CIP Twizeyimana.

“Rutazihana and Hategekimana were handed to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Gishari station; law enforcement organs are working together to recover other items they had already sold by the time of their arrest, and to find out if they are connected to other burglaries either in Rwamagana or other parts of the country.”

The spokesperson discouraged the public against purchasing valuables on black market to prevent buying stolen items, and to always report those who try to sell them things with unknown origin.

Article 166 in Rwanda new penal code relating to theft, 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 Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six months or only one of these penalties.