A suspected member of a car break-in syndicate is in police custody after an attempted escape at Sameer Business Park in Nairobi ended with detectives recovering a stolen laptop, wireless door jammers and other equipment believed to have been used to target parked vehicles across the city.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the 35-year-old suspect was arrested following an incident on August 3 after a motorist discovered her vehicle had been broken into while parked at the business complex. The victim reported that her laptop, tablet and charger had been stolen.
According to investigators, security guards on duty quickly turned their attention to a Toyota Land Cruiser, registration number KDT 122Q, which was parked nearby with two occupants whose behaviour raised suspicion.
"But sharp-eyed guards weren't fooled for long. Their suspicion fell on a Toyota Land Cruiser, Reg. No. KDT 122Q, idling nearby with two occupants who looked far too eager to leave," the DCI said in a statement.
Police said the situation escalated when the guards moved to inspect the vehicle.
"The moment guards moved to search the vehicle, the driver floored it, racing for the exit in a desperate bid for freedom, while a second occupant bailed out on foot and vanished into the streets," the statement added.
The attempted escape was cut short after the vehicle was blocked at the exit gate, leading to the arrest of Malcolm Okello, 35. The second suspect managed to flee on foot and is still being sought by detectives.
A search of the vehicle led officers to recover the stolen laptop and charger together with a motor vehicle number plate, wireless door jammers and a metallic door breaker.
"A search of the vehicle blew the case wide open, uncovering the stolen laptop and charger, a motor vehicle number plate KDG 453W, wireless door jammers and a metallic door breaker, the toolkit of a seasoned car break-in syndicate," police said.
Preliminary investigations indicate the Toyota Land Cruiser had been fitted with fake registration plates to avoid detection. Detectives also suspect it had been used in several similar break-ins targeting locked vehicles in Nairobi and its surrounding areas.
Okello is undergoing police processing ahead of his arraignment in court as detectives intensify efforts to trace the second suspect who escaped during the operation.
Police have retained the recovered items and the impounded vehicle as exhibits while investigations continue.