4 arrested as DCI cracks down on Nairobi car theft syndicate
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested four individuals believed to be part of a well-organized car theft syndicate targeting motorists in Nairobi and surrounding areas.
In a statement issued on Friday, March 4, 2025, the DCI revealed that the first breakthrough came on March 3, 2025, when officers arrested Mutua Julius John and recovered a stolen vehicle bearing registration number KDR 722K.
“In response to cases of motor vehicle thefts in Nairobi and its surrounding areas, detectives have launched a crackdown aimed at arresting the masterminds behind these crimes,” the statement reads in part.
Following Mutua’s arrest, investigators carried out further interrogations that led to the capture of three more individuals linked to the operation.
Roles within the syndicate
The DCI outlined specific roles played by each of the nabbed individuals.
Among them is Simon Mumo Chege, who, according to the agency, specializes in tampering with vehicle identification numbers.
“Simon Mumo Chege, who specialises in erasing and altering chassis numbers of stolen vehicles, was intercepted in Grogon, within the bustling Nairobi CBD,” the statement read.
“All the suspects are in custody and are undergoing processing pending arraignment,” DCI confirmed.
The agency stated that the crackdown is part of an ongoing operation aimed at dismantling car theft rings in the region.
“Meanwhile, the operation continues, with detectives focused on recovering more stolen vehicles and arresting additional suspects involved in removing tracking devices and manufacturing counterfeit number plates to match the embedded chassis numbers” the statement added.
Separate recovery in Mombasa
The latest crackdown comes just days after DCI recovered a separate stolen vehicle in an operation in Kisauni, Mombasa County, which led to the arrest of two individuals.
According to a statement shared on X on March 28, 2025, detectives apprehended Emmanuel Mugodo Sabwa and Erick Maingi Muimi in the Utange area, where they tracked down a silver Toyota Axio reported stolen in Nairobi.
“Kisauni Sub-County detectives have arrested Emmanuel Mugodo Sabwa, 42, and Erick Maingi Muimi, 34, and recovered a stolen motor vehicle. The silver Toyota Axio, registration number KDP 289B, was reported stolen at Buruburu Police Station, Nairobi,” the statement reads in part.
Investigators discovered the car’s original tracking device abandoned approximately 20 meters from the compound where the vehicle was recovered.
“At the scene, detectives found the vehicle fitted with a different registration plate KDA 348V and its front dashboard partially dismantled, likely in preparation for a quick resale or parts trade,” the statement further reads.
During the operation, officers also recovered various items believed to be used in vehicle theft, including dismantled trackers, car keys, and multiple number plates suspected to be linked to other reported cases.
“Also recovered were assorted car keys, dismantled car trackers, a key programming machine, number plates KDJ 885G, KDP 289B, SSD 763A, and KCT 278Y,” DCI reported.
