Detectives arrest nine robbery suspects in Kuresoi

A sub woofer believed to have been stolen from the shops in Kuresoi. [Courtesy]

Detectives have arrested nine robbery suspects believed to have been terrorising the residents of Kresoi in Nakuru County.

A statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations reveals that the suspects were arrested on Saturday following a series of investigations by their officers, who patnered with their counterparts from the Special Service Unit (SSU) and Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB).

“Detectives drawn from SSU, CRIB and DCI Kuresoi yesterday completed a close to one month forensic-led operation to wipe out a well-organised criminal gang that has been conducting a series of violent robberies within Kuresoi Sub-County,” read part of bthe DCI statement.

Sleuths say that the operation was prompted by a February 10, 2020, incident where the gang unsuccessfully tried to break into a safe to steal Sh8.5 million at Transnational Bank Kiptagich branch. Officers say that after failing in their mission, they headed to the nearby shops which they broke into and escaped with a number of electronic gadgets.

According to the DCI, the suspects’ arrest was aided by a forensic analysis carried out on the mobile phones which they stole at 2C Electronic Shop at Olengureone. The group was also found with television sets and woofers believed to have been stolen from the traders.

The nine suspects as have been identified by the police include: Robert Ng'eno alias Musuti, Matthew Kiprono alias Mosquito, Aron Cheruiyot alias Jose Ronald Kiprono alias Lydia Chebet (believed to be gang leader), Dismus Lang'at, Patrick Kipkorir Cheruiyot, Anderson Kirui Kiprotich, Dennis Kirui alias Milicent, Walter Kipkorir Bii alias Viola.

The detectives have revealed that most of the suspects have pending cases relating to robbery with violence.

“Most of the suspects have pending robbery cases in court, with warrants of arrest issued for absconding,” officers say.

The suspects have been placed in police custody as the officers pursue a tenth suspect whom they identified as “Kushoto”.