A photo of four suspected robbers lying on the ground at an entertainment joint in Ruiru Kimbo, Juja Sub-County made rounds on social media platforms on Monday, February 19 in the morning.
Reports indicated that the four were shot dead in an operation where police officers foiled a robbery attempt targeting a newly established night club.
However, a source close to the incident has confirmed that the suspects were not shot as widely reported.
Police officers, The Kenya Times has learnt, responded to an alarm from members of the public shortly after the suspects stormed the club located just a few meters from the General Service Unit (GSU) camp used by members of the dreaded Recce Company squad.
The suspects had reportedly killed a security guard in the area that has also been plagued by rampant cases of robbery.
Upon getting wind of the imminent robbery, police officers from the sub-county cornered the thieves in their act and arrested them all.
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At the time, the suspects were armed with crude weapons including crowbars, a mallet, and two torches, which were all recovered in the operation and taken as exhibits. The vehicle they were using, a black Toyota Noah, was also found at the scene.
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Kiambu police boss speaks about the arrests in Kimbo
Kiambu County Police Commander Michael Muchiri also arrived at the scene in Kimbo and confirmed the arrests of the four men.
In his remarks to the press, the police boss said the operation was aided by the cooperation between authorities and members of the public.
While giving credit to the team involved in the mission, he went on to describe the arrests as a major breakthrough to the police and locals in the area.
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According to him, cases of robbers targeting new clubs in the area have been rampant in the recent past, explaining that the gang was using crude weapons to intimidate club owners and steal alcoholic drinks from them.
“The idea is basically to make it appear like they are armed but they are not. The only weapon they carry are these crude weapons,” the Police Commander noted.
“Police were called, there was some bit of noise. The team led by OCPD and OCS, and DCI have been following up on this group. This vehicle has been seen several times, it has been followed through closely. We were able to establish and get information that this was the place they intended to attack.”
