Robbers dressed in police uniform stormed a petrol station in Wajir County, beat up the attendants and before stealing cash.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said police officers from Wajir Police Station pursued and arrested the two suspects.
The incident happened at Shawal Petrol Station along Mandera Road in Wajir township.
According to DCI, the suspects, identified as 49-year-old John Mwaura and his 28-year-old accomplice Muia Mutuku, were nabbed after a distress call alerted officers of an ongoing heist at the said petrol station.
DCI said the gang of five was wearing police uniforms. They tied up the watchman and the attendant before stealing Ksh30,000.
“Acting swiftly, officers arrived at the scene and discovered that a gang of five thugs, clad in jungle uniforms, impersonating police officers, had stormed the petrol station overpowering the watchman and pump attendant, tying their hands with ropes before making off with Ksh30,000 in cash,” the Agency said.
However, the police pursued the gang leading to the arrest of the two who were swiftly cornered and taken into custody.
The duo was found in possession of a mallet, an administration police jungle jacket, a military jungle trouser, and a military jungle jacket, among other incriminating items.
The suspects are currently undergoing processing pending their court appearance.
Meanwhile, the hunt continues for the trio still at large.
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Punishment for Impersonating a Police Officer
Impersonation of police officer or wearing police uniform is against the National Police Service Act.
Section 101 of the Act states that unauthorized wearing of police uniforms or impersonation of a police officer can result in a fine not exceeding one million shillings, imprisonment for up to ten years, or both.
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“A person other than a police officer who, without the written authority of the Inspector-General—
(a) puts on or assumes, either in whole or in part, the uniform, name, designation or description of a police officer, or a uniform, name or designation, resembling or intended to resemble the uniform, name or designation of a police officer; or
(b) in any way pretends to be a police officer for any purpose which he would not by law be entitled to do of his own authority,
commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding ten years, or to both,” reads Section 101 of the NPS Act.
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