Three arrested over theft of car number plates, extortion

Police in Katooke, Wakiso District have arrested three men over allegations of theft of car registration plates and extortion from residents of Katooke, Kibwa, Wamala, Nabweru, Lugoba, Kazo Nansana and Kawempe.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Mr Luke Owoyesigyire said Sunday that the suspects aged 17, 19 and 22 were arrested with 29 stolen vehicle number plates.
“This follows numerous complaints from residents about the raising vehicle vandalism and number plate thefts by unknown suspects who leave behind their telephone numbers demanding for mobile money before giving back the plates,” Mr Owoyesigyire said in a statement posted on police social media platforms.

After several hours of questioning, the suspects reportedly revealed to police the different locations where they had hid the number plates.
“Number plates theft is a form of smart crime that brings in quick cash from the affected victims. In case of car registration plates theft, we advise owners to report to the nearest police so that they can be issued with an official document to present in case they are stopped by traffic police on their journey, and also use to obtain a replacement plate,” the police spokesperson added.

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The crime
The racketeers, according to investigators, stick a mobile phone number on the car whose number plate they remove for the victim to reach out to them.
Once victims make contact, the masterminds demand that they send cash to them using mobile money before directing the car owners to the location where the registration plates are hidden, which usually is nearby.
The perpetrators demand anywhere between Shs100,000 and Shs300,000 from each victim.
According to police, the thieves mostly target cars parked in residential neighbourhoods and parking yards in metropolitan Kampala, Mbale, Mbarara, Masaka, Jinja and Bushenyi districts.

Police say most of suspected car number plates thieves live in Kawempe, Nabweru and Nansana townships, according to findings by detectives.

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Registration number plates identify the vehicle and are a proof of its ownership as well as preliminary indication of road worthiness. Uganda Revenue Authority also bases on the plates to know its cash flow from motor vehicle tax.
According to Section 33 (1) of the Traffic and Road Safety Act, 1998, it is illegal to drive a vehicle without plates and the offence, upon conviction, attracts a maximum sentence of two years in prison or Shs200,000 fine or both.