24-year-old arrested over phone theft in Masindi
He also called on local council leaders to maintain proper records of residents in their areas to strengthen community security.
Masindi: Police in Masindi have arrested a 24-year-old man accused of breaking into homes and stealing mobile phones and other valuables in Nyangahya Cell, Central Division, Masindi Municipality.
The suspect, identified as Jackson Wamani, a resident of Nyangahya Cell, was arrested Friday morning after residents raised an alarm following an alleged break-in.
ASP Solomon Mugisa, the Albertine North Regional Community Liaison Officer and Acting Regional Police Spokesperson, said Wamani allegedly broke into the home of 22-year-old Johnson Muganyizi and his spouse, only identified as Promise.
According to Mugisa, the suspect allegedly attacked Promise with a brick when the couple tried to defend themselves.
“She was later admitted to hospital for treatment. Muganyizi raised an alarm, attracting residents who intervened and contacted police, leading to the suspect’s arrest,” Mugisa said.
Police preliminary investigations indicate that before allegedly breaking into Muganyizi’s home, Wamani had also robbed Shiffah Asaba and Faith Nyangoma, both residents of Nyangahya Cell.
Mugisa said the victims reportedly lost two mobile phones, a bag containing money and National Identification Cards.
Police later searched the surrounding area and recovered some of the items allegedly dropped by the suspect, including two mobile phones believed to belong to Nyangoma and Muganyizi.
Mugisa said the suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue to establish whether he was acting alone or working with other people.
“Police intelligence indicates that the suspect had allegedly been hiding in a bar near Nyangahya Cell and targeting people moving to town during the late-night hours,” Mugisa said.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and take precautions to secure their homes.
“Residents should avoid sleeping without properly securing their homes and should report suspicious people to police,” Mugisa said.
He also called on local council leaders to maintain proper records of residents in their areas to strengthen community security.
Recent phone theft arrests
The arrest comes days after police in Masindi District arrested four people suspected of stealing and robbing smartphones in Masindi Municipality and recovered 115 smartphones.
The suspects, who are reportedly in their mid-20s, were arrested on September 16 and detained at Masindi Central Police Station after they were allegedly found in possession of stolen phones.
One of the suspects, identified as Ivan Tumusiime, reportedly told police that he joined the group in June this year and was trained by colleagues who recruited him.
Tumusiime allegedly told police that the group targeted different parts of Masindi Municipality, mainly at night between midnight and 1 a.m.
He also reportedly told police that the stolen phones were sold to Luke Phone Repair in Kijura Trading Centre for between Shs60,000 and Shs70,000, depending on the brand.
Police say investigations into the separate cases are ongoing.
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