Driver arrested for number plate theft in Masindi
‘’Upon contact, Kato would demand UGX 100,000 or more in exchange for returning the stolen number plates,’’ Hakiza revealed.
Masindi: Police in Masindi are holding a 21-year-old man, Hassan Kato, a driver and mechanic, on allegations of stealing motor vehicle number plates.
Kato, a resident of Nyangahya Cell in Masindi Municipality, was arrested over the weekend, according to Julius Allan Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police Spokesperson.
Hakiza revealed that Kato was found in possession of four stolen number plates, which include UAR 034F, owner not yet identified, UAR 748J belonging to Amadan Ayebale, stolen from Ssempa and Sons Garage, UAF 389C belonging to Bowaz Atuhura, resident of African Quarters, Masindi and UAL 527A belonging to Davis Muhumuza from Masindi Town.
According to police investigations, the suspect had developed a scheme where he would leave a phone number at the scene of the theft, instructing victims to call him.
‘’Upon contact, Kato would demand UGX 100,000 or more in exchange for returning the stolen number plates,’’ Hakiza revealed.
Kato is currently detained at Masindi Central Police Station, and investigations into the matter are ongoing.
This arrest comes amid a surge in similar incidents across Masindi. Hakiza noted that in August last year, police apprehended three individuals linked to the same crime.
A number of private and government vehicles have lost their number plates to unidentified thieves in the past months.
Hakiza emphasized that such cases are common toward the end of the year, prompting police to conduct intensified operations. During a recent district-wide operation in Masindi, over 300 people were arrested, and 185 were detained after screening.
Of those detained, 66 were women, 41 were charged with possession of opium, 144 were charged with common nuisance and remanded to Masindi Prisons.
In the same operation, over 30 motorcycles were impounded and are still at Masindi CPS, awaiting owners to reclaim them with proper identification.
Hakiza said these operations are part of a broader crackdown on rampant theft, drug possession, and iron bar-hit men. He assured the public that the operations would continue across the entire Albertine region, not just in Masindi.
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