Detectives on Saturday arrested a suspect believed to be behind a car theft syndicate in South and North Rift regions and recovered seven vehicles.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspect, 48-year-old David Ogeisia Migosi aka Mwalimu, was arrested in his Kitale hideout Saturday morning.

Migosi, a teacher at St Columbans Secondary School in Kitale was found in possession of 17 fake logbooks and a Toyota Probox vehicle during the arrest.

“A stealth operation netted 48-year-old David Ogeisia Migosi aka Mwalimu, a teacher at St Columbans Secondary School in Kitale who has been on the run, in whose possession were 17 Fake Logbooks and a Toyota Probox,” DCI tweeted on Saturday.

During the swoop, Migosi directed detectives to one of his hideouts in Matunda where two of his accomplices were also arrested.

“Upon interrogation, officers proceeded to his hideout at Matunda area where two other accomplices; 38-year-old Asman Memba Bakari and 34-year-old Jeremiah Yego Kiptoo were also arrested,” said DCI.

The operation comes following numerous reports of stolen motor vehicles in South Rift region in which over 10 vehicles were stolen early last month.

The seven cars recovered include a Toyota Axio KCL 790N, Toyota Hilux KBB 876A, white Toyota Probox without number plates, Toyota DX KBJ 316D, Toyota Premio KBN 377A, Toyota Hiace KCL 378K and an Isuzu D-MAX Pick-Up KCR 734T.

Fake registration number plates, chassis number stickers, ignition system, chequebook, dismantled number plates, chassis plate, and sale agreements were also recovered during the swoop.

The operation is still ongoing to recover more vehicles that have been stolen from members of the public, as the three suspects await arraignment in court.