Police in Jinja has arrested two members of a gang that was targeting the Indian Community in Jinja, and demanding money by menaces from them through written threats to murder; vandalizing and stealing number plates in exchange for money under extortionist tendencies.
The two suspects include; Owor Vicent, a 25 year-old, dealer in Airtel Simcards and resident of Agumam villages in Tororo District; and Otim Boniface, a 26 year old male adult, a supermarket employee and resident of Tororo Railway quarters, Tororo District.
The suspects were netted is an operation coordinated by Directorate of Crime Intelligence with the Territorial Police in Kiira Region and Bukedi South.
The task team established that on the night of 22nd – 23rd/04/2021, the gang members, trespassed into the properties of Madvan Group of Companies, on plot 23, Bell Avenue road parking yard. The vandalised 6 vehicles and stole the number plates from the 6mvs under registration number UAS 624G, UAX715E, UAW312V, UBG792P, UAF299S and UAL752L.
They left a written note behind demanding for Shs300k, per number plate. The notice read “When you know you have lost your vehicle number plate, call 0703-932528.”
The number was established to be that of Kato Hussein a member of the gang. Again on the 19/05/2021, the gang members, attempted to prey on the Indian community in Jinja, when they issued written threats to murder a 57 year old Indian businessman, identified as HATHI DHARMENDRA, together with his family and fellow Indians, if they failed to remit money on telephone contact 0771-491993.
“We have since identified the prime suspect as Ochwo Ponsiano, of Tororo District, who was captured on CCTV camera, while pinning the written threats at the premises of the victims in Jinja City.
The gang members are majorly residents of Tororo District, who are highly involved in extorting money from victimized persons, after stealing their registration car number plates, intimidating and harassing vulnerable business persons. They to a larger extent commit these crimes outside Tororo District to cover their tracks,” said Police spokesperson Fred Enanga.
