A chilling heist has unfolded along Mombasa Road, leaving a businessman reeling after a gang trailed him from a bank and made off with Ksh1.7 million. The robbery, executed with alarming precision, occurred on August 1, and has left investigators scrambling for leads.
The businessman, who has requested anonymity for security reasons, recounted his harrowing experience to police.
After withdrawing the substantial sum from a bank along Mombasa Road, he drove to his home in Syokimau. Unbeknownst to him, a gang had shadowed his every move.
As he arrived at his apartment complex, the gang broke into his car, where he had stashed the cash in the boot. The audacious thieves had followed him nearly five kilometres from the bank, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.
They even managed to infiltrate the apartment premises, creating a diversion while their accomplices looted the car.
Security footage from the bank and the apartment complex has captured crucial details of the operation. The CCTV footage shows a suspect loitering in the bank’s queue, seemingly innocent but later identified as part of the criminal crew.
He left just as the businessman was being served and, with his accomplices, began tracking the victim.
The gang's surveillance was meticulous. They watched as the businessman placed the cash in the car’s boot and then trailed him to Syokimau. Once at the apartment, they waited for him to enter before breaking into the vehicle.
The robbery, executed without violence, was discovered only minutes later when the victim returned to his car.
Athi River head of DCI, Wesley Kiprotich, stated that investigators are pursuing promising leads. The vehicle used by the gang bore fake number plates, adding to the complexity of the investigation.
Both the scene of the crime and the bank where the money was withdrawn have been visited by police for further scrutiny.
The incident has heightened concerns over a disturbing trend: criminals tracking bank customers who withdraw large amounts of cash. The police have warned the public about the risks of carrying substantial sums and cautioned against complacency.
They revealed that some thieves are known to pose as customers within banks to identify potential targets before alerting their accomplices.
The case points to a troubling pattern involving sophisticated criminal networks. These gangs are suspected to include individuals with police equipment, such as radios and handcuffs, enhancing their operational effectiveness.
The use of different vehicles and high-level coordination indicates that these criminals are well-organised and potentially linked to larger networks.
The victim’s case is part of a broader concern in Nairobi, where such targeted crimes have been on the rise. Police investigations suggest that this could be an inside job, with some suspects possibly being bank staff or affiliated with law enforcement. Despite the ongoing probe, no arrests or recoveries have been reported.
