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Manhunt launched for suspect fleeing to Mombasa after robbing businessman

A file photo of the main entrance to the headquarters of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kiambu County. (Photo: X/ DCI)

By Lucy Mumbi | Friday, March 29, 2024

Within less than five minutes, the suspects managed to snatch a bag containing Sh900,000 and another USD15,000.

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have launched a manhunt for a suspect believed to have fled to Mombasa after allegedly robbing a businessman from South C, Nairobi.

The suspect was linked to a gang of five individuals who were apprehended by police officers for breaking into the businessman's car and stealing nearly Sh3 million about a fortnight ago.

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In his report filed at Akila Police Station in Lang’ata, the victim alleged that he had parked his BMW X1 along Muhoho Road, opposite Rubis Petrol Station, and entered an auto parts shop when the robbery occurred.

Within less than five minutes, the suspects managed to snatch a bag containing Sh900,000 and another USD 15,000 (approximately Sh2 million).

According to the DCI, the suspects used a catapult to smash the vehicle's window before stealing the motorist’s property.

They were also reported to have stolen the businessman's three KCB, DTB and Gulf African Bank ATM cards, a national ID card, a smart driving license and work-related documents.

“Later that evening, the victim received a message alert indicating that Sh40,000 had been withdrawn from his KCB account and another Sh40,000 from the DTB account at an ATM in Embakasi,” police said.

Backed up by the Operations Unit, the detectives tracked and arrested the first suspect who was captured by a nearby CCTV breaking into the victim’s motor vehicle.

The footage also captured two more gang members keeping watch of the vicinity as the main suspect accessed the car illegally.

“All this time, another female suspect, was busy stalking the victim, as another suspect waited in a getaway Mazda Demio belonging to a Subaru car,” the police said.

“One after another, the suspects were rounded up last night before the spy vehicle was traced to Tsavo Gardens. We found the victim's KCB ATM card and car-breaking tools including a catapult. The five suspects were escorted to DCI Lang'ata offices where they are booked for the long weekend. Efforts are in place to recover a second motor vehicle and trace and arrest a sixth accomplice who fled to Mombasa,” the detectives added.

According to the DCI, the suspects are believed to be associated with another four suspects who were apprehended on February 16 last year after several car breakings were reported using the same tools still in the same area.