Detectives in Meru on Friday arrested one person believed to be behind the string of robberies that have rocked the area.
Confirming the arrest, detectives who collaborated with officers from Kathare Police Station noted that the arrest followed a tip-off from members of the public.
John Mwenda was fished out from his hideout in Maili Tano Village, Ruiri Rwarera location in Buuri East Sub-County.
“A team of detectives drawn from Buuri East in collaboration with officers from Kathare Police Station, have successfully apprehended Fredrick John Mwenda, a suspect in a string of robberies that have rocked the area. Ignited by a tip-off from vigilant community members, the operation led the officers to Mwenda’s hideout in Maili Tano village, Ruiri Rwarera location, Buuri East Sub-County,” a statement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reads in parts.
During the arrest, the detectives searched Mwenda’s hideout and discovered a sterling assault rifle under serial number 001422.
At the time of the discovery, the rifle in question had a missing buttstock and a shortened barrel.
18 rounds of ammunition and a magazine wrapped in a nylon bag and concealed in a basin full of clothes were also discovered during the search.
“Upon a thorough search of the premises, the officers discovered a sterling assault rifle, serial number 001422, with its buttstock missing and barrel shortened. Additionally, they recovered 18 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition and a magazine wrapped in a nylon bag cleverly concealed in a basin full of clothes,” DCI added.
Following his arrest, Mwenda was taken into police custody where he was processed before arraignment.