DCI Pounce On Car Used In Violent Robberies In 9 Sub-Counties

A robbery with violence suspect was arrested on Sunday evening, January 22 and crude weapons believed to be used in robbery incidents were recovered.

The suspect was arrested after detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) who were on a different mission in Nyahururu town came across a suspicious-looking vehicle that had an extra pair of plate numbers inside the vehicle. 

Upon conducting a thorough search of the vehicle, a white Toyota Noah, the sleuths recovered crude weapons, six mobile phones, assorted goods in a gunny bag and clothes belonging to women believed to be robbery victims.

Items recovered from an arrest by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations(DCI) on Sunday, January 22, 2023. /DCI

"When the detectives based at the operations support unit compared notes with their counterparts at DCI Laikipia, it was discovered that the vehicle was on their radar after being involved in various robberies within Nyahururu, Ol-joro-orok, Nyandarua north, Olkalou, Subukia, Laikipia West, Kirima, Gilgil and Naivasha sub counties among others," stated the DCI in part.

Four complainants, the investigative agency added, came forward and positively identified the arrested suspect identified as William Mwangi, who revealed that he and his accomplices still at large, had travelled from Nairobi to commit robberies in the said areas.

The suspect is currently at OlKalou police station being processed for arraignment, as detectives intensify a manhunt for his accomplices who are currently on the run.

On Tuesday, January 17, two armed robbers were shot dead following a fierce shootout between officers based at Njiru in Nairobi and three armed gangsters who were on a robbery mission.

According to the DCI, the hawk-eyed officers who were on routine patrol along Kangudo road in an unmarked vehicle, had noticed a suspicious motorbike in the Shujaa area whose pillion passengers were stalking their next victim. 

They immediately intercepted the bike at a petrol station and the officer in charge asked the suspects to identify themselves, to which they refused, provoking the shootout by firing at the officers.

"Nyinyi ni nani (who are you)? he asked. But the defiant trio answered with gunfire, provoking a shootout that sent two of them back to their creator instantly. 

The shootout was followed by the groaning vroooom sound of a speeding motorbike flying past the dusty town, as the third suspect shifted gears in quick succession to save himself from the hail of terrifying government ammo.

With two of the robbers gunned down and a firearm recovered, the officers called off the chase.

Upon closer examination of the firearm serial number KE-AP G0857 loaded with three rounds of 9mm calibre, it was discovered that the Ceska pistol had been snatched from a senior officer within Embakasi police station mid-last December.

A crime scene after police officers shot dead two suspects. /DCI