Report by Constable Sylvester Wemuru
It was not a lucky day for five alleged regular bag snatchers that frequent the Boroko area when police caught up with them on Wednesday (February 23) in Boroko as they were trying to carry out their normal criminal activities.
Boroko Support Unit and another police unit on foot beat patrol caught up with the five and arrested them. Police had received numerous reports of these youths but were unable to arrest them until Wednesday.
Amongst the five was a 14-year-old while the others were over 18 years. All are from the Gulf province.
Police officers have been doing foot and motorised patrols in the recent weeks to clean up the area including removal of illegal informal markets. Criminals including the five caught allegedly took cover within the informal markets when police are called.
The five have been formally charged and detained in the police holding cell at the Boroko police station.
The public is encouraged to report such people who pretend to be vendors selling on the streets and then steal from unsuspecting people who walk past them.
National Capital District Metropolitan Superintendent Silva Sika has issued instructions to police to arrest street vendors.
