At least five people, yesterday, received back their stolen electronics, which are among assorted equipment recently recovered in separate police operations in the City of Kigali.

The items returned to rightful owners include four computer laptops and a flat television screen.

The handover was held at Kigali metropolitan offices in Remera, where other recovered electronics are displayed for owners' identification and collection.

"Operations are continuous to recover equipment reportedly stolen, but to also crackdown on electronic shops which deal in stolen items,” Supt. Emmanuel Hitayezu, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, said.

"So far, a number of criminals have been arrested and were either prosecuted or still under judicial process,” he added.

"The established strong community policing relationship with the public is facilitating the whole operation process in tracking suspects but also locating and recovering stolen items,” he noted.

Hitayezu urged members of the public whose electronics were stolen, to go to the metropolitan offices in Remera to check if they are among those recovered.

Most recovered items are computers, television screens, home theatres, DVD decks and decoders, among others.

"Claimants are required to have proof of ownership like purchase receipt, corresponding property markings or any believable and convincing evidence proving that indeed the property belongs to that person,” said Supt. Hitayezu.

He advised the public to always buy from recognised shops to avoid buying stolen items, keep receipts or mark their equipment, and always report to police whenever anything is lost or stolen, to facilitate timely response to recover.

Meanwhile, Aloys Rurangwa, who received his television screen, thanked the police for quick response, when he reported the theft in Kimironko, a Kigali city suburb recently.

The suspected thief, who was also arrested, had sold the TV at Rwf65, 000, according to investigations.