Four minors are being held in Manica province, in the center of the country, accused of stealing a computer and various computer equipment from the Chimoio City Prosecutor's Office. The minors are aged between 12 and 14 and have a history of committing various crimes.

Cited by AIM, 12-year-old Ericha Luís has been detained before in connection with several cases of theft.

"This boy is dangerous and has a very strong record. He's robbed several stores and vehicles. He's been here at the police station several times. In the criminal world, he is better known as Shorts Hallas," explained Mateus Mindú, the PRM spokesman in Manica.

Shorts Hallas, in the company of his friends, managed to break into the Chimoio city attorney's office and looted a computer and other office equipment.

"It's amazing how these kids commit crimes, especially in stores. They've even taken a safe containing cash and freezers. They say that when they steal, they sell it to some individuals who are the principals," Mindú explained this Thursday in Chimoio.

On one occasion, according to the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM), he took 600,000 meticais from a commercial establishment belonging to a foreign national. "Another time, he stole around 300,000 meticais, also from a store in the Feira market in the city of Chimoio. And he has already broken into several vehicles from which he has taken various goods, such as computers, cell phones and wallets with cash," PRM reveals.

Ericha Luís, who started stealing on his own and later joined up with other boys, according to the police, leads a gang made up of five minors who terrorize the city of Chimoio and Gorongosa, in Sofala province.

"The leader of the group built his mother's home with the stolen money. The money was hidden in a cemetery and gradually used in the construction work," says the same publication, stressing that the police carried out an investigation which culminated in the recovery of some of the money.

At the moment, according to the spokesman, the corporation is working to track down the masterminds and hold them criminally responsible.

"They have a criminal history that is frightening because they are minors. They entered the world of crime at a very early age. They are sowing terror in the city. We are working to neutralize another minor who is part of the gang and who is currently on the run," said the spokesman.