The latest news on recent crimes and crime-related events in South Sudan:

Robbers steal a vehicle at gunpoint in Juba; SPLA recover vehicle

Armed robbers broke into a house in Tongping and stole a vehicle after threatening the owner of the car together with his family members on 9 July, according to a source. The gang of robbers were going door-to-door to steal from the civilians, the source said. One of the thieves after stealing the vehicle (model Prado JL) tried to run away with the car towards Gudele. However, he was later halted and arrested by SPLA Military police at about midnight. The owner of the stolen vehicle was excited to get his car back when he learned that his car was recovered, the source said.

Minibus catches fire in Juba

A Mini bus traveling from downtown Juba to Gudule caught fire on Friday night at 9:30 p.m. in Juba, a source said. The bus carrying about 14 passengers all traveling to Gudule neighborhood went ablaze as it stopped to pick up more passengers, the source said. The incident took place at Seven Days roundabout. The passengers on board of the burning bus jumped down to safety. Nobody was injured in the incident. A fire fighting truck respoded to the incident but responded too late to put out the blaze in the bus.

Soldier murders four and shoots himself in Rumbek

A soldier shot four people dead in Rumbek Town on Thursday night. He then shot himself dead, according to Lakes Acting Minister of Information Jok Ayom, who spoke to Eye Radio. He said the incident happened after a misunderstanding between soldiers. “He shot dead four, wounded two people plus a small child and killed himself,” said Jok.

Thieves knock motorist with stick, steal motorbike

Two thieves knocked down a motorist with a stick before running away with his motorbike at a Disco club near Kololo along Airport Road in Juba, a source said. The incident occurred on the evening of 9 July at 11:00 p.m. The motorist narrated that two people approached him asking for a lift. One then hit him on the kneck with a stick while the other took the bike. “The robber was running towards Gudule Road toward the Seven Days roundabout,” the source said. Reportedly, however, the criminal injured himself when he fell while riding the motorbike at high speed and he was arrested by SPLA Military Police at Seven Days roundabout.

SPLA 'harrassing' motorbike operators in Juba

Motorbike operators in Juba have complained of harressment from security forces in Juba and claimed that SPLA officers have even stolen some motorbikes. According to several motorbikes operators, SPLA officers have confiscated three motorbikes from motorists on the pretext that they lack ownership documents. A source said that the bikes were held at the military post in Gudele. He blamed SPLA Major John Arkangelo for taking motorbikes unlawfully.

Another gunshot suicide in Abyei

Police say a 25-year-old man who was found dead with gunshot wounds in Agok had killed himself. The man has been named as Diany Yai Mading. Citing a witness, Abyei Today reported that Diany had appeared stressed before shooting himself on Thursday. This report comes after three suicides within the Abyei community police so far this year.

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File photo: Minibuses and a traffic policeman in Juba (Radio Tamazuj)