Sixty stolen mobile phones recovered in Wundanyi

TAITA, KENYA: Sixty mobile phones and several gas cylinders have been recovered following the arrest of a notorious thief in Wundanyi.

Police raided the suspect’s hideout at Kitukunyi village on the outskirts of Wundanyi town in Taita-Taveta County, arresting and remanding him at the Wundanyi police station pending investigation.

According to the area Assistant Chief Givan Mwangaghe, police recovered more than 60 mobile phones, several gas cylinders and television sets among other electronic equipment from the suspect.

The items are said to have been stolen from local residents and public servants residing in the town.

The arrest comes at a time when the national government is still grappling with the rising house breaking and general crime in the area during the Christmas Holiday Season.

Thieves have also been raiding government quarters and shops at night breaking and stealing electronic equipment among other valuables.

Briefing The Standard on the incident, Mwangaghe described the suspect as very dangerous criminal who has been escaping police dragnet for quite some time.

“The suspect has been pretending to be suffering from high blood pressure only to steal from local residents. The recovered goods were found hidden in a cave at Kitukunyi hills where the suspect has been operating from,” said the administrator.

He said the suspect had earlier been serving in probation before he escaped from lawful custody. Mwangaghe said the suspect was later re-arrested in Malindi town and jailed for one year.

Upon his release, the suspect has been engaging in criminal activities before his arrest on Monday.

The administrator said the suspect would be taken to court once investigations are complete.