A charcoal vendor in Mukurweini was robbed of Ksh200,000 at gunpoint by a gang posing as customers after being lured into a trap.
According to the man, he was forced to transfer the money from his mobile money account and was left in the middle of nowhere.
Reportedly, the suspect in custody posed as a customer of the vendor, who operates in Mukurweini town, seeking to buy 20 sacks of charcoal for a friend.
However, the victim did not have enough to supply that amount, but he quickly mobilised his suppliers to meet the demand nonetheless.
After finally sourcing the amount of charcoal needed, he was ambushed by a numberless Toyota Prado SUV in the Nguyoini area, and a series of events unfolded, leaving him without any money or goods.
Firstly, the robbers forced him into the vehicle, where he was assaulted and coerced at gunpoint to surrender his PIN to one of his mobile money accounts, after which they withdrew Ksh200,000 from it.
After stealing from him, they forced him out of the SUV and a female accomplice was left holding him at gunpoint as the SUV sped off the scene towards Mukurweini.
Shortly after, another accomplice arrived at the scene on a red motorcycle and picked up the armed woman, disappearing in the same direction.
After recovering from the ordeal, the victim filed a complaint with the police, after which detectives drawn from the Operations Action Team (OAT) and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) launched investigations into the matter.
"Thanks to forensic intelligence, detectives trailed down and arrested the suspect, who is currently in custody, undergoing processing pending arraignment," the statement read in part.
Although only one suspect was arrested, the DCI revealed that detectives were pursuing additional leads to apprehend and bring his accomplices to book as well.
In the meantime, the directorate urged members of the public to keep tipping off the police when they witness any crime through its official channels.
