Twelve people suspected of belonging to a group that vandalises and steals car parts and other electronics have been arrested in a Police crackdown in Kigali.

The suspects are currently held at Muhima Police Station as investigations continue.

Police have also recovered an assortment of stolen equipment that include car parts and electronics.

Police Spokesperson Chief Superintendent of Police, Celestin Twahirwa said that the suspects were apprehended with the help of residents who provided Police with information during the operation.

"Three of the suspects were got red-handed by residents in Remera while trying to vandalize cars in the area. They later alerted Police which arrived at the scene and arrested them,” CSP Twahirwa said.

"Further investigations led to the arrest of the other suspects, who are believed to all be operating in the same criminal ring.”

One of the suspects, Hassan Karemera, 37, confessed to knowingly purchasing stolen merchandise, and said that he will cooperate with Police to apprehend more suspects linked to this group in order to recover more items.

"Destroying people’s cars to steal radios, side mirrors and other valuables is a selfish act; and I am not proud to have been part of this ring. All I did was to buy the merchandise and resell them to garages and to willing buyers. I will cooperate with Police and I urge Rwandans to desist from these terrible acts,” Karemera said.

Police commended residents for providing timely information in quest for crime prevention and urged them to continue working against urban crime.

"Working with Police through community Policing has been influential in overcoming very many crimes. Car vandalism and other urban crimes are not at a high rate in Kigali, but police cannot ignore or tolerate even the few that exist. We shall continue to serve professionally and keep the capital city and country safe,” CSP Twahirwa said.

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