Suspect arrested over robbery, panga recovered

Arrest Illustration

Police officers on patrol in Mombasa Central subcounty foiled an early morning armed robbery in the Mwembe Tayari, arresting one suspect and recovering a weapon.

According to the National Police Service, the incident occurred on Wednesday when three suspects, posing as customers, stormed a local establishment while armed with machetes, commonly known as pangas. 

The gang reportedly threatened staff and patrons in an attempt to carry out the robbery.

Officers from Mombasa Central police station, who were on foot patrol, responded swiftly after receiving a distress call from the scene. Their quick intervention disrupted the robbery before it could be executed.

Police managed to subdue and arrest one of the suspects at the scene. A sharp panga believed to have been used in the attempted robbery was recovered from him.

Two other suspects managed to escape during the operation and are currently being pursued, with investigations ongoing to establish their identities and whereabouts.

The arrested suspect has been taken into custody at Mombasa Central police station and is expected to be arraigned in court following the completion of preliminary investigations.

The National Police Service commended the officers involved, noting that their prompt response prevented potential harm and loss.

Police urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through emergency lines, including 999 and 911, as well as the #FichuaKwaDCI reporting channels.

Elsewhere, police are investigating an incident in which a shopkeeper was shot and killed during a robbery in Ntimaru, Migori county.

A special squad has been sent to the area to pursue the gunmen over the fatal shooting and other past incidents, police said on Tuesday.

Police said Morris Marwa, 45, was shot seven times at close range in a rage by suspected thugs who had raided his shop on the night of Sunday, May 3.

The area was experiencing a blackout when two men, one armed with an AK-47 rifle, arrived, witnesses told police.

They found a few customers and Marwa at the shop before ordering them to sit down.

The other victims complied, but Marwa resisted and demanded to know who they were. This, according to witnesses, angered the gunman, who stepped back and opened fire, flooring him.

He was shot in the chest, legs, and left hand before the attackers fled the scene.

Police said the gang did not steal anything from the shop, escaping immediately after the fatal shooting.

A team of officers who arrived at the scene recovered two spent cartridges for ballistic analysis.

The team said they are hunting the gang to bring them to justice. In the same area, the gang raided another shop and grabbed Sh150,000 from attendants.

Police said the incident happened a few metres from the scene where they had shot and killed the shopkeeper.