Police in Rubavu District have recovered money amounting to about Rwf4.4 million, which was stolen from a businessman in Nyabihu District.

The money was recovered early Saturday from the suspected thief identified as Hafashimana alias Jado, who was intercepted in Bugeshi Sector.

Hafashimana stole the money from one Dirigent Hitayezu after breaking into his car and stole the bag, which contained the money and other personal belongings.

Hafashimana hails from Jenda village, Nyirakigugu Cell in Jenda Sector of Nyabihu District, where the money was stolen.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that at about 7am on Saturday, Police in Rubavu received information that there was a man, who had a big sum of money in the bag, and suspected him to have stolen it.

"Police officers were dispatched, they located and arrested the suspect--Hafashimana-- at about 7:30am with the bag containing the money and other items," CIP Karekezi said.

In the bag was also a smartphone, banking tools including cheques of different banks as well as a passport in the names of Dirigent Hitayezu.

"Hafashimana said that he stole the money from a vehicle where it was parked as the owner (Dirigent Hitayezu) was supplying goods to traders in Jenda. He confirmed that the money indeed belongs to the same person whose particulars were found in the same bag."

The victim, CIP Karekezi said, was located and informed of the recovery of his money and other items.

"Hitayezu was called and the money alongside other personal belongings were later that day handed back to him. The suspect was handed over to RIB at Bugeshi station," said the spokesperson.

The victim, Hitayezu thanked the Police and residents, who facilitated the recovery of his money and other items.

He said that the money was less by Rwf100, 000, which the suspect had already spent buying alcoholic drinks for friends, and other items.

"I didn't know the person who stole my money, I was so happy when I received a phone call from Police in Rubavu telling me that they have recovered my money and other important items like passport, cheques and mobile phone," said Hitayezu.

Theft, under article 166 of the penal code, attracts a jail term of between one and two years and a fine of Rwf1 million to Rwf2 million, a community service of not more than six months or one of the two penalties.