Three suspected gangsters were arrested on Wednesday and a motor vehicle suspected to have been stolen was recovered in Mlolongo, Machakos County. The suspects, aged 27, 26, and 30, were apprehended during a botched robbery within Mlolongo Township. A fourth suspect managed to escape on foot.
The incident, classified as robbery with violence and recovery of a suspected stolen vehicle, was reported to Mlolongo police station at 9:06 AM. Police officers patrolling near the Cooperative Bank in Mlolongo Township encountered the gang attacking a woman and moved to intervene.
The suspects fled upon seeing the police, with three of them entering a getaway vehicle, a black Toyota Ractis. The officers managed to block the vehicle and arrest the suspects, who resisted and injured two officers during the altercation. One officer suffered a swollen right leg, and the other experienced chest pains.
The getaway vehicle’s number plate had been altered using stickers. Upon searching the suspects, the police found assorted digit and letter stickers, a bunch of assorted keys, ten master keys with a grinding file, eight mobile phones of various models, three crowbars, a hook, and a machete.
The 33-year-old woman being attacked was robbed of an Oppo A20 mobile phone, Sh11,000, a wristwatch, a purse containing her national ID card, and an ATM card. She sustained injuries to her face and hands. The stolen items had not yet been recovered.
The suspects are set to be arraigned in Mavoko Law Courts on Friday. They will face charges of robbery with violence, assaulting police officers, resisting arrest, preparation to commit a felony, and possession of suspected stolen property.
The vehicle has been detained at Mlolongo police station as an exhibit pending verification of its details and ownership. The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Mlolongo is leading the investigation.
