Four suspects have been arrested in Thika for allegedly stealing BIDCO goods worth more than Ksh3,249,500 using forged Local Purchase Orders (LPOs).
The operation was conducted on Thursday after weeks of surveillance by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
According to the DCI, the suspects — Haron Mwangi Ndungu, James Nyaga Munyutha, Philip Njenga, and Paul Ngugi — used fake LPOs bearing the Chandaria Ltd letterhead to fraudulently obtain BIDCO products.
How the Scheme Worked
The four had reportedly succeeded in stealing BIDCO deliveries on two separate occasions using the same method. Detectives launched a discreet investigation after noticing a pattern in the fraudulent transactions.
“The arrest follows weeks of discreet surveillance, culminating in a swift operation when detectives received intelligence about their next move,” the DCI said in a statement.
Arrest During Third Attempt
Detectives from the Operations Actions Team (OAT) intercepted the suspects while they were heading to BIDCO with yet another forged LPO valued at Ksh1,770,740.
They were found inside an Isuzu lorry (KDB 249Z, white in colour) allegedly intended as their getaway vehicle.
“Detectives caught the suspects red-handed… armed with another forged LPO aimed at securing goods worth Ksh1,770,740,” the DCI reported.
Suspects in Custody
The four suspects are currently being held in police custody and are expected to be arraigned.
