Suspects caught in Ksh17.6m electronics robbery on Easter, DCI confirms
It was reported that they accessed the premises by slicing through the iron sheet roof, allowing them to reach the accounts office and storeroom.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has announced the arrest of two Kenyans involved in a robbery at an Embakasi warehouse, which occurred over the Easter weekend.
The thieves made off with electronics worth Sh17.6 million.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, April 23, the heist took place on Easter Sunday, April 20, at Atlantic Business Park.
Two warehouses were broken into, and various electronics, including televisions and CCTV servers, were stolen.
The theft was discovered when employees returned to work and reported the incident to the Mombasa Road Police Station.
"The stolen goods included 363 units of 43-inch Hisense televisions, 20 units of 20-inch HB televisions, 11 sets of HS 218 soundbars, four HP laptops, two mobile phones, desktop computers, school bags, spare parts, and CCTV servers," said the DCI.
"The authorities swiftly initiated an inquiry into the incident, revealing that a group of individuals, armed with basic weapons, had broken into the facility."
It was reported that they accessed the premises by slicing through the iron sheet roof, allowing them to reach the accounts office and storeroom.
Further investigations uncovered that the security staff present at the facility during the break-in had not notified the authorities, even though an alarm was triggered, prompting a delayed response.
The investigation into the robbery led officers to suspect that it could have been an inside job, as the security personnel responsible for safeguarding the premises had mysteriously gone into hiding after the incident.
A thorough forensic investigation eventually pointed to two suspects, who were later tracked down and arrested at a resort in Ruai.
"During their capture, a large haul of stolen goods was recovered, including 269 Hisense 43-inch TVs, 65 Hisense 55-inch A6 TVs, 2 Hisense 65-inch Q6 TVs, 8 Hisense 58-inch A6 TVs, 7 Hisense 32-inch A4 TVs, 4 Hisense 40-inch TVs, 4 Hisense 50-inch TVs, an Aiwa SB 8320 speaker, Aiwa SB 2031 speaker, and 11 sets of HS 218 soundbars, among other items," added the investigations agency.
"The stolen goods had been packed into a white Mitsubishi FH truck, which was impounded along with the items for use as evidence in the ongoing investigation."
The two individuals suspected of involvement have been apprehended and are in the process of being processed ahead of their court appearance.
Authorities are actively working to locate the remaining security officers and other individuals connected to this bold theft.