Police are investigating a suspected network of women from Gisenyi who are allegedly conning traders. The Police launched its investigations following an incident that happened yesterday, where two women from Gisenyi stole over Rwf 5 million from a shop owner, Uwera Joseline at Mateus neighbourhood in the City Centre.One of the suspects, Angelique Mukanyilingira 27, a mother of three, was arrested while the others escaped.Superintendent Albert N. Gakara, the Regional Spokesperson, Kigali, said they are carrying out investigations to arrest any others that could be involved.“Some sources tell us that this network of women are known for theft and we are therefore carrying out investigations to arrest any other that may be involved in this criminal act,” Gakara said.He cautioned the public to be very vigilant about such women who might come under the pretext of bieng buyers or sellers.According to the shop owner, two women came to her shop at lunchtime asking for the price of a particular dress. She kept on bargaining with Uwera, the shop owner while the other stealthily walked out with the shop owner’s handbag that had over Rwf 5 million.Uwera said that she had just withdrawn the money from the bank and therefore suspects the women came following her to the shop since they probably saw her at the bank.Her neighbour saw one of them with her handbag and then she alerted her and that’s how they followed them up and found them around Simba Supermarket with the handbag that had over Rwf5 million.The shop owner called some of her customers in Gisenyi who say that they know the women.“My customers from Gisenyi informed me that these women are known for shoplifting and they even travel to Uganda to steal besides stealing from people in Kigali and Gisenyi. They also smuggle ‘bitenges’ from Congo and sell them in Rwanda,” Uwera said.Mukanyilingira, the one who was arrested, denied having been part of the robbery. She said that she only helped her colleague to hold the handbag without knowing what was in it.The other suspected robber on the run is Gentille Dusabimana, also a resident of Gisenyi.
