A woman reportedly leading a notorious gang of six was apprehended by detectives after she made an error in a well planned and executed Ksh 5.5 million hotel heist in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County on July 31.
The suspect was arrested on Saturday, August 15 by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation sleuths who launched investigations into the heist.
Her gang targetted a businessman who owns petrol stations in the county and laid down a detailed plan of how to steal from him without raising an alarm
The lady, identified as Elizabeth Akinyi Abuto was arrested after she was caught on CCTV cameras located at the hotel.
According to the police, the woman and her boyfriend booked a room next to the victim’s room so that they could trace his movements.
Her boyfriend had for three days monitored and analysed how the businessman collected cash from his petrol station and stashed into his hotel room.
With July 31 declared a public holiday in honour of the Muslim faithful who were celebrating Eid Al-Adha, the gang decided to strike with the knowledge that the tycoon couldn't bank the money until Monday, August 3.
“They had planned to strike because they knew the owner had a lot of money," detectives stated.
The gang struck when the businessman left his hotel room, leaving behind Ksh 1.1 million and $41,000 (approximately 4.4 million), but was caught on camera switching rooms.
“After reviewing the CCTV footage it was established that two suspects who had booked the next room were captured coming out of their room and entering Gedi’s room,” Eldoret DCI boss Daniel Nchoro stated.
The police managed to seize a car the suspect purchased after robbing the businessman and tracked another suspect in Kisumu.
Akinyi and her gang have been arrested several times and are facing multiple robbery charges for different incidences. Akinyi has always managed to convince the courts to release her on bond.
In May 2019, she was arrested for a violent robbery in Kitengela. In March 2016, she was arrested for over 22 burglary incidents in Nairobi with victims claiming to have lost over Ksh 5 million worth of property.
