A primary school teacher is in police custody after being caught with four stolen chickens believed to have been taken from a Catholic Reverend Sister’s convent in Kumi Municipality.
The case, registered under CRB 725/2024, has drawn widespread attention in the community.
The incident was reported to Kumi Central Police Station (CPS) on Christmas Day by Okeju Godfrey, a 25-year-old security guard and resident of Bazaar Cell, North Division in Kumi Municipality.
According to Okeju, the theft occurred at around 2:00 a.m. at Bethany Conventional Center, where he works as a security guard.
Okeju noticed two men carrying four chickens and became suspicious when they failed to explain how they had obtained the birds.
He quickly alerted his colleague, Ekitui Paul, and the two successfully apprehended the suspects before notifying the police.
The arrested suspect, identified as Otim Erasmus, 40, is a teacher at Kumi Modern Nursery and Primary School and a resident of the same area.
His accomplice, an unidentified man, was severely beaten by a mob before being handed over to authorities.
The injured suspect is currently receiving treatment at Kumi Hospital.
The East Kyoga Regional Police Commander Damalie Nachuha confirmed the arrests and detailed the events leading to them.
“The suspects were found with four chickens but failed to account for how they came into possession of them. The swift action of the security guards ensured the suspects were apprehended,” she said.
Nachuha condemned the mob justice, urging the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
“While we appreciate the vigilance of community members, mob action is illegal and can result in severe consequences. We urge people to report such cases to the police for proper handling,” she added.
The stolen chickens are believed to belong to a Catholic Reverend Sister who resides at the convent within Bethany Conventional Center.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the theft and verify ownership of the chickens.
This incident has sparked discussions among residents about the increasing petty thefts in the area.
Kenneth Odele a parishioner at Kumi Catholic Parish said, “those guys have disturbed us a lot. They steal from our church almost weekly. We managed to arrest three who are currently in prison, but the main architect of theft who resides just behind the priest’s house, he has been arrested several times by the police dog but Police keep releasing him without producing him in court. Currently he is on the run after stealing our offertory box, public address system Turkeys and chicken.”
Meanwhile, police have assured the public that the suspects will face charges under the law once investigations are concluded.
The injured suspect is under police watch at the hospital and will be arraigned in court after recovery.
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