Rwanda National Police in Eastern Province on Tuesday presented to the media seven men suspected of theft of electronic materials and money in the residence of an English national during the night of December 18.

Three of the suspects are accused of breaking into the home located in Nyagasenyi Cell, Kigabiro Sector, Rwamagana District, stealing materials that include a flat-screen television screen, a laptop, a camera, Rwf50,000 cash, identification documents, and other house equipment. 

Three other suspects were held for buying the stolen equipment, while one man is accused of helping unlock the stolen laptop.  

The oldest of the suspects is 33 while the youngest is 29.

Emmanuel Siborurema, 32, from Nyamarama, Kayonza District, was part of the team that broke into the house through the window at around 11:00PM, he claims they were drunk.

"We were three and we met, we did it after getting drunk, we said to each other let's go look for money for the festive season."

 He said they had been drinking from the home of one of the three.

"We jumped over the fence and got into the compound. The window was open and we used a log to break metallic bars," he explained.

The police spokesperson in Eastern Province, CIP Hamdun Twizeyimana, said that after the theft, the victim reported the matter to police and later a case at Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), and the search started.

He said they caught the first suspect who led them to the rest.

"When we called to inform her that her property had been recovered, she could not believe it, she thanked the police for the way she was treated when she went to report the incident,” he said.

"We thank residents, we helped in apprehending the suspects through our usual collaboration.”

Twizeyimana urged residents to be vigilant and those who can, to install CCTV cameras and alarm, and employ security guards when possible, and report theft as soon as possible such that the concerned security organs do the search. 

He said that in the last three weeks, at least eight stolen TV screens were recovered and given back to their owners in this province.