Police in Nairobi are holding three suspected thugs found in possession of stolen electronics in Githurai 44.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Francis Itaru, Joel Njoroge and John Warui were arrested on Sunday night while in the process of selling the items.
The suspects who were ferrying the goods in two vehicles were arrested following a tip-off from members of the public.
“The detectives who were on patrol within Kasarani had received information regarding two vehicles that were ferrying the goods for sale in Githurai 44 and arrested the thugs as they attempted to sell them to traders dealing with electronics,” DCI said.
Police said a search conducted in the vehicles led to the recovery of forged number plate stickers, a bunch of master keys, an HP Laptop and assorted house-breaking tools.
The three were escorted to Kasarani police station for further interrogation before arraignment.
The arrest comes barely a week after four suspected thugs were killed and three firearms and stolen items recovered in separate incidents in the city.
In the first incident which occurred in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, two thugs died in a hail of fire after challenging detectives on patrol, leading to an exchange of fire at Kwa Viatu area near Kamukunji Grounds.
“The two who were part of a four-man gang that had earlier accosted two members of the public headed for their early morning hustles were intercepted close to Kamukunji grounds, where on noticing the presence of our officers they shot at them leading to the exchange,” police said in a statement.
“Two of the thugs were lucky to escape the onslaught by diving into the nearby Nairobi river, opting to swim downstream while gulping mouthfuls of the heavily polluted water infested with human and household waste.
“Following the incident, one homemade firearm capable of firing was recovered, as a blood-stained knife, mobile phones and six wallets.”
Police on patrol
Another armed thug was killed by officers on patrol along Thika Road in the Kastemill area, after he was intercepted trying to cross over to Zimmerman carrying stolen goods.
“The armed thug who defied orders to surrender was fatally wounded and a Beretta pistol loaded with 2 rounds of 9mm calibre was recovered from him.
“Also recovered was a 43’’flat screen television suspected to have been stolen from a house in Zimmerman,” police stated.
In the third incident, a robber died in a fierce shootout with police as his accomplice escaped.
“The two armed with a Browning pistol loaded with 13 rounds of 9mm calibre were no match to the sleuths’ ferocious firepower coupled with sufficient government ammo, which fatally wounded one of them instantly as his accomplice fled to nearby shrubs with life-threatening injuries,” police added.
A police raincoat, handcuff keys, four mobile phones, two master keys and a dagger were recovered.
“Efforts to arrest the thugs who escaped are in top gear as detectives urge medical practitioners in Eastlands to be on the lookout for two young men seeking treatment for severe diarrhoea and one with gunshot injuries,” police added.
