Addis Ababa Police Commission recorded 211 car theft in the capital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in the nine months period of the current Ethiopian fiscal year started July 8, 2019.
Out of the 211 stolen cars, 70 are not found, according to Commander Fasika Fanta, Public Relations Director of Addis Ababa Police Commission. Speaking to the state daily Amharic newspaper, Addis Zemen, stated that the number of car theft in the city is reduced by 17 percent as compared to the same period the previous year.
The thieves owned most of the stolen cars taking them out of Addis Ababa City by changing the plate numbers and ownership documents. Out of the 211 stolen cars, 102 are found with missing parts, while 39 are found being used by the thieves. Commander Fasika indicated that the Commission is facing challenges in capturing stolen cars as most of the cars are sold in border areas where conflicts are prevalent.
Police reports show that organized crimes in Addis Ababa, which was relatively the safest city in Africa, is now increasing. Crimes such as, armed bank robbery and daylight car theft are now becoming common in the Addis Ababa.