Detectives from the Embakasi Police Station have arrested two suspects in connection with a Ksh17.6 million heist at a godown in Embakasi.
In a statement on Wednesday, April 23, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the theft, which occurred on Sunday, April 20 at the Atlantic Business Park, targeted two storage units belonging to Aetlantiq Group Limited.
The investigating agency said employees returning from the Easter holidays were stunned to discover the godowns had been broken into and a large cache of goods stolen.
"According to a report filed at Mombasa Road Police Station, employees returned to work following the Easter holidays and were met with disbelief as they found that Go Down No. 16 and No. 17, belonging to Aetlantiq Group Limited, having been broken into and assorted goods having been stolen.
"Responding to the report, officers established that a group of individuals armed with crude weapons had gained entry by cutting through the iron sheet roof, strategically accessing the accounts offices and storeroom," the DCI said.
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According to the DCI, among the stolen items were Hisense TVs, soundbars, HP laptops, mobile phones and desktop computers.
Additionally, the agency noted that the scale of the operation raised concerns about insider involvement, especially because the on-duty security personnel have since gone into hiding.
"Inside, the thieves stole an array of valuable equipment, including 363 pieces of 43 inch Hisense TVs, 20 pieces of 20 inch HB TVs, 11 sets of HS 218 soundbars, four HP laptops, two mobile phones, desktop computers, school bags, spare parts, and CCTV servers, among other items, before vanishing, leaving no immediate trace behind.
"It was revealed that a team of security personnel, who have since gone into hiding, failed to alert the authorities despite responding to the alarm triggered during the incident, further fueling suspicions of a broader conspiracy," the DCI added.
The DCI noted that investigations into the matter led to the arrest of James Macharia Mwangi and Keriko Wanjama who were found hiding at a hotel in Ruai.
Following their arrest, police recovered 269 units of Hisense 43-inch TVs, 65 units of Hisense 55-inch A6 models, and other assorted electronics and sound systems.
Additionally, a white Mitsubishi FH truck, registration number KAV 565Q, was also recovered, loaded with the goods.
"A painstaking probe into the matter was initiated, and through forensic leads, two key suspects, James Macharia Mwangi and his accomplice Keriko Wanjama, were arrested at their hideout at Scorpion Den hotel located in Ruai, where the following goods were recovered: 269 units of Hisense 43-inch televisions, 65 units of Hisense 55-inch A6 televisions, 2 units of Hisense 65-inch Q6 televisions, 8 units of Hisense 58-inch A6 televisions, 7 units of Hisense 32-inch A4 televisions, 4 units of Hisense 40-inch televisions, 4 units of Hisense 50-inch televisions, an Aiwa SB 8320 speaker, Aiwa SB 2031 speaker, and 11 sets of HS 218 soundbars among other items," the DCI stated.
The duo are in police custody as authorities continue with a manhunt for the missing security personnel and any additional accomplices.
