A couple who stole cameras worth Ksh200,000 from a studio in Kamakis left behind crucial evidence that would lead officers to them - a passport photo taken by its operator.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Thursday, February 23, studio owner Mary Kagunyi confirmed that she had a soft copy of a photo she took of the woman moments before the theft.
Kagunyi revealed that after processing the photo, the couple posing as clients paid her Ksh1,000 in cash but she did not have change.
"I had just opened the shop, so I asked them to pay me via mobile money wallet but they declined. I then offered to return the balance via mobile money and even offered to top up the withdrawal fee but they refused," she stated.
This forced her to leave the shop and go out to look for loose change across neighbouring shops. However, when she stepped out, she noticed something was amiss but chose to ignore it.
"I saw the man standing outside the shop. Had I known that he was looking out for the accomplice as she was stealing my equipment, I could have returned to the shop," Kagunyi added.
When she came back, the duo as well as her Nikon D750 camera worth Ksh150,000 and a Lumix camera worth Ksh50,000 were missing.
The studio operator claimed that the theft was part of a well-choreographed plan because the two had monitored her before executing the theft.
"They came in asking for passport photos to use for a passport application with specific dimensions. They kept asking several questions while speaking to a third party," she stated.
Kagunyi filed a report on the theft at the Gatong'ora Police Station in Ruiru under OB Number 22 of February 22, 2023.
She also shared the photo of the female suspect online and a section of Kenyans were able to identify her and her social media account.
The incident is part of a growing trend of raids and theft cases targeting photo studios, with stolen cameras fetching top dollar in the black market.
