Three members of a notorious criminal gang that has become a nightmare of Meru residents have been arrested.
The three Narman Kioo Bariu, Stephen Mathenge Njoroge and Matthew Koome alias Pator were arrested in an ongoing operation to quell an upsurge in violent robberies in the region.
The three were wanted for various felonies pending before Meru, Githongo and Nanyuki law courts, including murder, robbery, attempted defilement and housebreaking.
During the operation, DCI recovered two motor vehicles used by the suspects to traverse the county to their target spots.
The alleged ring leader of the gang Jeremy Mutethia escaped the police dragnet through a camouflaged opening in his wooden house.
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DCI claims Jeremy and Narman met previously at Meru GK prison as remandees for robbery with violence and murder charges respectively, and have been out on bond.
"Having obtained the slightest lease of liberty, Jeremy has led his gang in a spate of violent robberies including the Turkwel Filling Station (Tigania West) night attack on April 24, 2023, where pump attendants were robbed at gunpoint," DCI said in a statement.
"In the 2am incident, the victims were tied with ropes after a hail of blows and kicks by 8 men who were armed with two AK47 rifles, before disappearing with Sh57,000 cash & a safe box with an unknown amount of money."
On the morning of May 14, DCI says the gang accosted a bodaboda rider at Makutano, Imenti North in a botched attempt to rob his motorbike.
"Having failed to cooperate, they shot at him frenziedly hitting his left arm and damaging the bike. He luckily survived."
As the arrested suspects continue being interrogated, the DCI has warned members of the public that Jeremy and a number of his gang members are still out there, armed and dangerous.
"Should you have any information on Jeremy Mutethia or any other gun-toting felon, please Fichua kwa DCI by dialing our toll-free hotline 0800 722 203. Usiogope!" DCI advised.
