Soroti- Police in Soroti have arrested five suspected criminals who have for long been involved in a number of criminal activities.

The police through an intelligence trailed and arrested the suspects on the 24th October 2022, from their hide out in Kigandani cell within Soroti City.

Those arrested include Opolon Vincent aged 68 years, Kato Ronald aged 45 years, Opolon Isaac aged 22 years, Eyamu Peter aged 44 years, and Opali Justine while three others only identified as Osege, Ocheng Jude and Charles evaded arrest and are now on the run s police continually track them until they are brought to book.

It's also alleged that on the 11/10/2022 at around 20:00AM the criminals robbed one Apolot Stella off 68 million Uganda shillings in Amen ‘A’ cell, Amen ward western division within Soroti city.

According to SP Ageca Oscar Gregg the PRO of East Kyoga in a press statement releases today, the victim is alleged to have been robbed through the connivance of a boda boda ridder identified as Eligu Joseph who in concert with individuals here her home shot Apolot Stella in the stomach when she resisted, and took off with a bag containing about sixty eight million Uganda shillings (68,000’000/=Ugx) which the victim had picked from her husband Elobu Stephen who operates a produce business in Soroti Town. 

Ageca also added that exhibits of material value for prosecution purposes like an AK 47 SMG riffle number AK47-31048 that had been thrown outside by the criminals as they tried to evade arrest was recovered including a magazine containing 21 rounds of live ammunitions and 14 live ammunitions tied with green and yellow piece of cloth.

"This gang and group of individuals is to be noted are behind a series of robberies in the region for example a case of aggravated robbery reported at west division police station vide SD Ref: 31/06/06/2022 where business lady was robbed sums of about six million shillings (6,000,000/- ), ignition key for a Bajaj motorcycle and five mobile phones that occurred on the 30/6/2022 at about 07:59PM at Maroon quarters within Soroti City, and a case of aggravated robbery of about fifteen million shillings (15 million shs) Opejo Vigila a business man that occurred on the 22/4/2022 at about 07:30PM at Kichinjaji East cell Kichinjaji ward, within Soroti City East division vide Soroti CPS SD 74/22/04/2022",

He also explained that most of the suspects arrested are hardened criminals that include a convict who view the crime of robbery as legitimate source of income and as police they strongly believe the arrests of the hardcore criminals will help restore some peace and sanity in the region.

"We pledge to continue with intelligence led operations against violent armed gangs and its criminal network, who pose serious threats of safety and security in respective communities",he added.

He further further appeal to persons who carry on cash businesses and others resident within East Kyoga to be mindful of their security as this shall include not carrying or traveling with large sums of cash on their persons when moving about or when it's already dark.