The police have come across a new breed of enterprising thieves. After stealing a vehicle, the thieves immediately began dismantling it for spare parts.

While vehicle theft is a rare phenomenon, the few that fall victim are usually spirited away to neighbouring countries. But car thieves to graduate to stripping a stolen car for spare parts, that is new.

In many countries, even among the neighbours, it is an everyday occurrence. The cars are stripped in what they call "chop shops” and the parts are spread to the four winds, impossible to recover the car.

Now that this vice has raised its head in our midst, there is need for vigilance. The many spare parts shops in Kigali, especially in Biryogo and Gatsyata, were usually ready markets for lesser value stolen parts; lights mirrors, car stereos and other smaller pieces.

Now that the petty thieves have been replaced by a new breed, there is need for authorities to come up with tougher measures. One of them would be to closely monitor second-hand spare parts dealers and garages and make them account for their merchandise.

It will not be an easy task as many dealers in used parts import them and have a ready market due to the exorbitant nature of new parts. But enacting stiffer laws that categorise the nature of thefts would go a long way in curbing the vice.

A petty thief who snaps off a car’s side mirrors should not be treated the same way as a car thief, otherwise, it will not be long before carjackers enter the scene.