Two Arrested In Connection with Motor Vehicle Theft and Burglary in Lira City

Two Arrested In Connection with Motor Vehicle Theft and Burglary in Lira City

By Nancy Atim

The territorial police in Lira City West Division are investigating two key suspects associated with the “Acan Pite Ilwete group” regarding the theft of a motor vehicle and burglary. The suspects are accused of stealing a motor vehicle and other items from Gerald Moses Odyek, a 33-year-old businessman and resident of Ober Kampala, Lira City West Division, Lira City.

According to SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, the North Kyoga Region police spokesperson, the complainant borrowed a loan of UGX 3,500,000 (three million five hundred thousand shillings) from the Acan Pite Ilwete group in June 2023, where he is also a member. The loan had an interest of 10% per month, and he was supposed to repay the full amount by November 2023. Unfortunately, he only paid UGX 1,400,000 (one million four hundred thousand shillings).

According to investigations, on December 4, 2023 at around 05:00 hours, a group led by Felix Ongom, a 37-year-old businessman, and Daniel Emor, a 26-year-old, went to the complainant’s home and broke into the house were they stole all household properties, and impounded his motorcycle with registration number UFK 881Y. The incident occurred at the group’s saving office at Lira Bus Park.

A theft case file has been opened at Lira City West Division under SD REF; 27/16/12/2023 with the two suspects arrested and put in police custody at Lira City West Division police headquarters in Ojwina to assist with ongoing investigations.

According to Okema, while some household properties were recovered from the group members, the motorcycle is yet to be recovered. Efforts to locate and recover the motorcycle are ongoing. Statements of the suspects were recorded, and their files are being compiled for submission to RCSA for review and advice on preferred charges related to motor vehicle theft, burglary, and theft.

SP Jimmy Patrick Okema confirmed that this is the fourth incident involving small saving groups registered in North Kyoga. In Alebtong district, a group lost 45 million Shs, in Anai, they lost 35 million, and a lady committed suicide in Kole after failing to repay a loan.

Okema has appealed to the public while advising them to ensure their security when withdrawing savings from the bank for sharing. They also encourage the public to open individual accounts for all members, allowing savings to be shared directly into members’ accounts instead of carrying large amounts of money from the bank to the village, which may lead to robbery.