POLICE in Nyanza district have arrested three people suspected to have been part of a ring that was attempting to smuggle a stolen motorcycle across the border to Burundi.The suspects, names withheld, include a 44-year-old Rwandan national and two Burundians, aged 20 and 47.The alleged ringleader, who was identified as Mashaka, is on the run, but Police sources said efforts are being made to apprehend him.The Southern Region Police Spokesperson, Supt. Hubert Gashagaza, told The New Times that an operation mounted on Monday in the area also recovered the stolen motorcycle, a Yamaha AG100 without an registration number, as the suspected robbers attempted to smuggle it to Burundi via porous pathways in Karambi village, Kibirizi sector. The suspects were by press time detained at Busasamana Police Station, Gashagaza added.Residents commendedGashagaza commended residents for their collaboration with Police to recover the motorcycle and arrest the suspects, urging them to maintain the good work to curb theft.“Such cooperation with security forces should be upheld to ensure that our communities are crime-free,” he said.Gashagaza also urged motorcycle riders and owners to remain vigilant and keep an eye on their properties to help put an end to their thefts.Last year, motorcycle riders in the province expressed concerns over the security of their bikes, telling this paper that they live in ‘constant fear’ over the safety of their property.In many cases, Police said, the stolen motorcycles are hidden for some time and moved to new places after changing their appearance and given new number plates while others are transported to neighbouring countries or are dismantled and their spare parts sold.
