Crime: Thimphu has seen reduction in burglary cases between the months of January and April this year compared with same months in the past two years.

In 2013, the city recorded 78 burglary cases, and 87 in 2014. In the first four months this year, the police recorded only 65 burglary cases in the capital.

Out of the total reported cases, 28 were detected and 20 suspects arrested.

The police last month apprehended five suspects who were found to have been involved in 21 burglaries in the capital. The suspects were all school dropouts aged between 16 and 19.

The boys had planned to form a dance group sometime in November last year. However, they did not succeed and were forced to resort to an easier alternative.

The stolen items include laptops, cameras, gold-plated komas (brooches), mobile phones, utensils, a butter lamp, knife, television and a sewing machine, among others.

While most of the stolen items were recovered and handed over to the owners, some are still with the police.

Police officials said that the stolen goods will be sent to the court and the court will hand over the items to the rightful owners.

The suspects were found to have used most of the stolen cash and also sold some nicked items. The police were able to recover some of the goods transacted after theft and cautioned the buyers about the legal consequences.

A 16-year-old suspect said that he started to steal things from last year when his mother died and stepmother did not treat him well. “So I ran away from home, drop out from school after class two.”

Another suspect, a 19-year-old boy, lived with his friends after his parents got separated. He said that the need for money was the main reason he was compelled to resort to criminal activities.

The cases are under investigation and the police are trying to recover the stolen goods.

By Dechen Tshomo

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