The Directorate of Criminal Investigations apprehended three suspects believed to be part of a notorious wines and spirits robbery syndicate on Saturday.
In a statement confirming the arrests, the DCI relayed that the gang has reportedly been terrorising wine and spirits shop owners across the city and its outskirts, breaking in and robbing them at night.
Reportedly, they were arrested after several days of intense surveillance following a tip from the public that implicated the three.
At the most opportune moment, the detectives moved in on the first two suspects at their Ngara residence and took them into custody.
The arrest was, however, not without hiccups, as the two reportedly bolted at the sight of the officers, in the process abandoning a black Toyota Harrier, which was seized as crucial evidence in the case.
Subsequently, the detectives followed their forensic trail, leading them to a third suspect in Njiru Makongeni.
After his arrest, another vehicle, a black Toyota Noah, believed to have been used to ferry stolen liquor, was recovered at the scene.
Detectives reveal that the car seats still smelt of freshly spilt alcohol.
Despite these arrests, the police had yet to nab the mastermind, who reportedly resided in Mugutha, Ruiru.
As such, they obtained a search warrant for his place of residence, where more exhibits were recovered, including two car seats ripped from the seized Toyota Noah.
They also recovered a number plate, break-in tools, several mobile phones, and a hoodie identical to one seen on CCTV footage during a recent robbery.
On the compound, empty cartons of expensive alcohol were scattered all over, cementing the evidence of the gang's heavy looting spree.
They also recovered a herd of 25 bulls, suspected to be stolen and hidden at the suspected mastermind's second residence in Njiru, awaiting sale. They are being held at the Ruai Police Station.
A manhunt to arrest the mastermind is currently ongoing.
