Police in Kajiado have arrested two suspects in an attempted theft of diesel worth over Ksh 1.2 million at a petrol station in Bisil township.
In a statement on Monday, March 24, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the suspects, who posed as legitimate buyers, were caught after a pump attendant uncovered their scheme.
According to the DCI, the incident unfolded when a fuel tanker pulled into Sajjy Petrol Station with the two men, pretending to be wealthy clients, claiming they had paid for 6,000 litres of diesel via a direct bank transfer to the station's owner.
The suspects provided what appeared to be proof of payment, convincing the attendant to begin the fueling process.
However, after pumping about 100 litres, the attendant stepped away to verify the transaction with his employer.
Read More
His suspicions were confirmed when the owner denied receiving any such payment.
"Without disputing the proof of payment provided, the attendant went ahead to initiate the process, but excused himself briefly after pumping about 100 litres. He made a call to his boss, who confirmed his fears. Neither such payment had been made nor was there any such arrangement," the statement read.
Realizing the fraud, the pump attendant discreetly signaled his colleagues, who swiftly restrained the suspects before alerting the authorities.
"Maintaining his calm, the attendant beckoned his colleagues with a signature alert, who pounced on the two and alerted the police," the statement added.
By the time police officers arrived, the two suspects, identified as 32-year-old Boniface Karanja and his 54-year-old accomplice Daniel Kimani, were already subdued.
Their vehicle, a tanker with registration number KCC 312G, was also impounded.
"Police officers arrived to find the two cushy life-seekers securely restrained, who had since been encouraged to identify themselves. A petrified Boniface Karanja, 32, and his 54-year-old accomplice, Daniel Kimani, were re-arrested, and their vehicle registration number KCC 312G detained," the statement read.
Further investigations revealed that the duo had traveled from Nairobi and were part of a larger syndicate targeting petrol stations in smaller towns.
"Further grilling revealed that the two had traveled from Nairobi, and belonged to a bigger syndicate that is now targeting petrol stations in smaller towns. Further investigations is ongoing," the DCI concluded.
