By Ronaldo Kalangi
Lugazi, Uganda: The Police and other security agencies carried out a joint operation in Ssezibwa region early this week to net thugs who have been stealing car number plates from people’s vehicles and later demanding money from them.
During the operation several number plates were recovered and one suspect arrested. The suspect was identified as Fred Walukaga, a resident of Wakisi in Njeru, Buikwe district. He was found in possession of several number plates. According to Ssezibwa Region Police Spokeswoman, Hellen Butoto the suspect moved around plucking number plates off people’s cars and leaving behind his contact on the cars he vandalised. “He plucks off number plates from vehicles. He leaves his contact on the vehicle then demands for money from his victims when they call, so as to return the number plates,” Butoto said, adding that Walukaga confessed to have been committing the crime severally.
Walukaga is currently detained at Lugazi Central Police Station while his associates including a one Wabwire who is on the run, are being hunted by the police.