Police arrest two robbery suspects, recover AK-47 in Buuri East

Some of the items recovered by DCI during the arrest. [Courtesy/DCI-X]

Detectives have arrested two suspects linked to a violent robbery and recovered an AK-47 rifle believed to have been used in recent unrest across Buuri East, Tigania West, and neighbouring areas.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the arrest followed reports of gunfire at Mungania Shopping Centre, where a police officer fired shots in a bold act of self-defence after discovering that robbers were in the process of attacking a member of the National Police Reserve (NPR).

The DCI stated that the unexpected police response threw the criminals into disarray, prompting them to abandon their firearm and flee. Detectives swiftly responded and located the gang’s getaway vehicle, a Toyota Vitz, which had been abandoned near the scene.

A female suspect, Christian Saina Korosian, was apprehended as she attempted to escape from the car, while her accomplice, Moses Kayiok Noomeyo, was arrested after being found hiding in a nearby house.

Further investigations revealed that prior to the Mungania incident, the same gang had staged a robbery at Maritati Centre in Timau. Dressed in jungle military uniforms and armed with two AK-47 rifles, the suspects stormed an M-Pesa shop and ordered the attendant to open the door. When she hesitated, they fired at her. However, she managed to dodge the bullet and took refuge in a nearby room.

Determined to complete their mission, the robbers shattered a glass shelf containing mobile phones and made away with 15 smartphones. While fleeing, they shot at a customer approaching the shop, injuring him on the right hip. A second bullet struck another victim on the left arm, the DCI confirmed.

Inside the abandoned getaway vehicle, detectives recovered a pair of jungle green trousers resembling those worn by the robbers, as captured on CCTV during the incident.

The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing processing as they await arraignment. Meanwhile, the recovered firearm and ammunition are being held as exhibits as investigations continue. Detectives are also pursuing leads to apprehend a third accomplice who managed to escape.