Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Sunday, April 14, revealed how carjackers were stealing and reselling stolen vehicles.
The detectives had recovered a vehicle in Karen which had been stolen a week earlier. The matter had been reported at Kiamaciri Police Station indicating that it had stolen between Kenol and Makutano.
In a statement, DCI revealed that the tracker had been disabled to prevent the vehicle from being traced by the owner or the police.
Additionally, the detectives added that the vehicle had fake insurance and registration plates.
It was also at a garage where it was undergoing further modification to conceal its identity. Some of the modifications done to the vehicle include a change of colour and the use of different car parts.
"Concerted efforts of DCI officers from Mwea West and Thika West led to the arrest of the 30-year-old suspect in Thika, before the team proceeded to the garage where the truck was undergoing modifications to conceal its identity," read part of the statement.
The suspect was taken into custody ahead of his arraignment on Monday, April 15.
In January, the DCI launched a crackdown on syndicates stealing vehicles across the country. The detectives recovered motor vehicles in Nakuru where several suspects were arrested.
During this crackdown, detectives also revealed that the suspects often drove the vehicles without the number plates to avoid being stopped by police officers on the road.
Similarly, in March, suspected stolen cars and spare parts were recovered at a yard in Utawala Estate.
According to the detectives, some of the car thieves usually target vehicles left in garages, drivers at night, and also vehicles used to transport goods such as lorries.
Peter Murima, the Kenya Association of Motorists Chairman earlier told Kenyans.co.ke that there was a spike in car theft due to tough economic times pushing Kenyans to crime.
