Police in Kakamega have apprehended two robbery suspects believed to be behind a string of robberies witnessed in Kakamega, Vihiga and Uasin-Gishu counties.
Patrick Mangale, 30 and Denis Indeche, 24, were arrested on Monday by officers masquerading as jua kali traders after a chase which ended at river Lwatingu where the main suspect is said to have plunged into the river to flee the sleuths.
According to a statement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mangale then led the officers to a toilet at his homestead in Lower Tingu, Mugulu area, where a firearm believed to have been stolen from a police officer was recovered from a pit latrine.
“The detectives also impounded a red motorbike registration number KMGG 124M, that is believed to have been the gang’s getaway means,” read part of the statement.
DCI says that the duo had on April 9, attacked a senior DCI officer based at the Kakamega North headquarters and hacked his head several times leaving him unconscious and making away with his firearm.
“The officer had just arrived at his residence at around 3 am from an assignment in Nairobi when the thugs who were on a motorbike accosted him at his gate,” said DCI.
“They descended on him with a machete inflicting several deep cuts on his head before fleeing into darkness with his Jericho pistol, that was loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition.”
The duo is said to have left their machete behind and went on a robbery spree targeting Mpesa shops and pump stations.
They have also been linked to another incident which occured on April 11, where a petrol station in Shibuli shopping centre was attacked and an unknown amount of money was stolen.
“Two days later, the suspects attacked a gold dealer in Lwanugu village and took off with Sh55,000, 8 grams of gold, mobile phones and other valuables,” noted DCI.
On April 20, at around 10 pm, the suspects are said to have raided an Mpesa shop at Mudete market in Maragoli, and took off with an unspecified amount of money and mobile phones.
DCI says that the duo had been fleeing to different counties once they got wind that a manhunt had been launched on them.
The duo is also being held responsible for injuring two innocent civilians who suffered gunshot wounds on their hands and legs during a raid at a shop in Elgon View estate in Eldoret.
Meanwhile, the suspects are being held in custody at Kakamega police station pending further interrogation.
