The Police flying squad units in Masaka and Mukono Districts have recovered five cars and a motorcycle following three operations conducted to thwart thugs behind the theft of motor vehicles in their respective jurisdictions.
Police Spokesperson SCP Enanga Fred said the operation also led to the recovery of several number plates of suspected stolen motor vehicles and three notorious robbers were arrested to help with the ongoing investigations.
In one separate incident in Masaka recorded on 3rd January 2024, Mr Enanga said police officers from Bukoto police, while providing security at a burial ceremony in Butale village, noticed 3 thugs who were targeting motor vehicles, parked at the function.
“The officer acted swiftly and arrested one suspect called Lukyamuzi Faruku, a 28-year-old, land blocker of Kyengera Town Council in Wakiso who led them to the recovery of the motor vehicle, they were using,” said Mr Enanga, adding that; “upon search of the premises, several number plates of different vehicles were found hidden under the car seats.”
The recovered motor vehicle a grey Premio under registration number UAK762T, with breaking implements, was impounded.
In a separate development, the Flying Squad Unit in Masaka on the 5th of January 2024 at around, 9 am, gave a chase, to suspected thugs who were surveilling around, in a motor vehicle under fake number plate UBM 858N.
“The team fired and deflated the tyres of the get-away vehicle, near Total Petrol Station, along Masaka-Kyotera road, which brought the vehicle to a full halt. One suspect, Ddamulira Edward, a 40 year old, male adult, and resident of Kivumbi zone, Nateete Kampala, was arrested,” Mr Enanga stated.
Police say the suspect admitted how they have been using master keys to rob valuables from vehicles parked in busy places, hotels, markets and vehicles parked on roadsides, within the greater Kampala area, other cities and major towns.
“The suspect was picked by two of his accomplices from Kyengera and their target was Masaka City, where they had already broken into two motor vehicles, one in Nabyewanga, where they stole a bag with clothes and in Lukaya town, where they stole an infinix mobile phone and a bag containing clothes.”
Police also discovered that the suspects’ motor vehicle was using a fake number UBM 858N, which was fixed on top of the original number plate UBA 858N.
In another development, the police in Mukono Flying Squad, arrested one Wandera John alias Katiginyi, a notorious car robber, from Namubiru village, in Nama sub-county after he was found selling a suspected stolen motor vehicle under registration number UBE 973W canter white in colour which he and his accomplices stole from Nsangi.
His accomplices who are currently on the run have been identified as Wasiko Isaac, Patrick Mukyepere, Kanyankole Gideon and Ivan.
“The racket has been selling the stolen motor vehicles to Siraje in Iganga and Brian of Bwaise who are all wanted. Also recovered are a motor vehicle registration UBB 071U and motorcycle registration number UFL 975H, and a Premio Super with a fake number plate UAW 025L. We have established that after stealing the motor vehicles, they alter the chassis number, color and number plate. The operation is ongoing,” Mr Enanga stated.
He added; “The arrest of the notorious criminal rackets demonstrates our resolve to fight and counter criminal elements behind motor vehicle robberies and bodabodas.”
Enanga lauded the Flying Squad teams and thanked all volunteers for the information that helped the police crackdown on those criminal gangs. He said operations are ongoing in various parts of the country.
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