Rwanda National Police (RNP) has recovered a vehicle that was reported stolen recently in downtown Nyabugogo in Nyarugenge District. One person was arrested in connection with the theft.

The vehicle, a Toyota Hilux RAD 698C, belonging to Dr. William Agaba, was reported stolen on July 17 from a parking lot at MTN service centre in Nyabugogo.

The RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, said that the search for the vehicle was activated after the victim reported the alleged car theft.

He said: "Police first recovered the engine of the vehicle on July 23, in Gisenyi town, Rubavu District where the suspect in custody was looking for a buyer. The other part of the car without an engine was later recovered in Kacyiru sector, Gasabo District.”

Investigations indicate that the suspect, a mechanic in Gatsata, hatched a plan in May when he forged the car key as he was repairing it at a garage in Gatsata.

Kabera warned against such criminal acts and thanked members of the public, who helped the Police in successful investigations.

The victim, Dr. Agaba, thanked the Police for the swift response to recover his vehicle.

"I am grateful for the efforts that Rwanda National Police deployed to successfully recover my car and to arrest the suspect," he said.

Article 166 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person convicted of theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six months or only one of these penalties.

In Article 167, the penalty for theft doubles if the offender committed the crime through burglary, climbing, or possession of keys other than the owner; the theft is carried out during the night or the theft is carried out by more than one person.