50 Arrested in Dar Over Car Thefts

Police in Dar Es Salaam are holding 50 people allegedly linked to cases of stolen vehicles reported throughout the city, thanks to the intensified operation to stem an outbreak of car thefts within the country's commercial city.

Dar Es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander, Simon Sirro told reporters in Dar Es Salaam that the suspects were found in possession of 24 stolen vehicles. He said the arrest facilitated by the ongoing crackdown at various areas in the city and the cars were found hidden in Lake Zone regions of Mwanza, Geita, Shinyanga and Kagera.

According to Mr Sirro, the police last month arrested a taxi driver, Charles Simon (34), a resident of Mabibo in the city at Kimara in Kinondoni Municipality while transporting a stolen lorry to Mwanza Region.

“During initial interrogation, the suspect confessed to have been involved in various car theft incidents, mentioning another suspect as Isack Kahwa (35), a mechanic and resident of Ndala area in Shinyanga, who was found in possession of a motor vehicle of Toyota IST make with registration number T 428 CYV in his garage,” Mr Sirro explained. He said preliminary investigations have established that the car had been stolen at Tabata Segerea in Ilala Municipality. It belongs to one Mr Erick Senzotz.

The suspects confessed to have stolen and sold several cars, including a Toyota Noah with registration number T 948 DCP, which was impounded at Mbogwe-Masumbwe in Geita Region.

He said other cars impounded during the crackdown include a Toyota Hiace with registration number T 702 CMS (from Victor Malya, (38) and another Toyota Noah with registration number T 419 (from Adrian Jackson (45), both residents of Shinyanga. Mr Sirro said the suspects used fake keys to steal cars and selling them after changing their colour and plate number.

All the suspects will be taken to court after investigations are over. Meanwhile, 165 people have been arrested during a special operation to arrest sex workers and their customers in various parts of the city of Dar es Salaam.

The zonal police boss told reporters that the arrests began on March 7 when they arrested 153 prostitutes and 12 customers. According to him, 51 prostitutes and 12 customers have been arrested in Ilala Municipality, 22 prostitutes in Temeke and 76 prostitutes in Kinondoni.

“Prostitution is illegal and it is against our culture, customs and tradition. The business is also promoting crime in urban areas. The suspects will appear in court soon,” he said.

Culled From Daily News