Detectives from the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have recovered two number plates, two log books, and a key programming machine during a crackdown on car thieves.
During the crackdown, the investigators also apprehended two men involved in the car-stealing syndicate who had stolen a vehicle.
The two, a 42-year-old and a 34-year-old, were arrested in Kisauni after they were traced to have a vehicle that had been reported lost at the Buruburu police station in Nairobi.
The detectives were able to trace the thieves after forensic leads trailed the vehicle to the Utange area. There, they discovered its tracking device abandoned roughly 20 meters from a perimeter wall compound where the motor vehicle was recovered.
"Acting on forensic leads, detectives trailed the vehicle to Utange area, where they discovered its tracking device abandoned roughly 20 meters from a perimeter wall compound where the said motor vehicle was recovered," the report by the DCI said.
According to the detectives, the car thieves have devised a new method of tampering with the tracing devices, removing them and dumping them at undisclosed places away from the car to throw off anyone trying to find a stolen car.
They also use the key programming machine to program or reprogram electronic vehicle keys. These machines are essential for creating new keys, especially for modern cars equipped with transponder chips or keyless entry systems.
Criminals are increasingly utilising key programming tools to steal vehicles, exploiting vulnerabilities in keyless entry systems. By accessing the OBD-II port, they can bypass security measures. Techniques such as relaying key fob signals, cloning transponder keys, or reprogramming unprogrammed keys enable them to unlock and start cars in just a matter of minutes.
Furthermore, it was revealed that the suspect tried to reconstruct the vehicle and change its number plate with some of the plates that were discovered at the scene.
"At the scene, detectives found the vehicle fitted with a different registration plate and its front dashboard partially dismantled, likely in preparation for a quick resale or parts trade," the detectives revealed.
The detectives recovered assorted car keys and dismantled car trackers from other vehicles and one laptop during the raid.
The suspects are currently held at Mjambere Police Station, where they are being processed ahead of their arraignment. The recovered items are securely stored and will serve as evidence.
In a separate case, the DCI detectives have apprehended 12 more suspects from the Panga-Boys gang who have been causing havoc in the coastal region.
The panga boys are responsible for a series of violent attacks, looting, and interference with the peace of residents and business owners in Kwale and the surrounding areas.
