By Kelly Were
Four suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with a phone snatching syndicate that has been terrorizing residents in Nairobi’s Runda area, police confirmed yesterday.
The suspects – Japheth Mutisya Peter, Alex Mukundi Mwangi, Stacy Njeri Wanjiru, and Rita Mutheu Mwongeli – were apprehended on May 26 following a tip-off from members of the public who reported the presence of a phone-snatching gang operating within the Ruaka Choma Zone.
Acting on the public tip, duty officers from Runda Police Station and their team responded to what initially appeared to be a non-injury traffic accident involving a motor vehicle with registration number KDN 050V at Mimosa Bridge. However, upon conducting a search of the vehicle, officers discovered a black backpack on the rear passenger seat containing 19 mobile phones of various brands.
The recovered devices included five different Samsung models, Infinix phones, two Tecno phones, a Nokia phone, an HMD phone, a Poco phone, an Itel phone, and a Sufer phone. When questioned about the origin of these devices, the suspects were unable to provide a satisfactory explanation.
The four suspects appeared before the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, where they face charges including stealing contrary to section 268(1) of the penal code, conveying suspected stolen property contrary to section 323, and handling stolen goods contrary to section 322(2) of the penal code.
The court issued custodial orders for the suspects to be detained at Gigiri Police Station for several days to allow Police Constable David Njoroge of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to complete investigations into the matter.
According to the supporting affidavit filed by PC David Njoroge, investigations are still ongoing with several key activities pending:
- Recording statements from over 20 victims and other key witnesses from different parts of the country
- Submitting the recovered mobile phones to the Cyber-Crime Unit at DCI Headquarters’ forensic lab for analysis to determine their rightful owners
- Reaching out to identified owners to record their statements
The investigating officer noted that the suspects form part of a criminal syndicate based in Nairobi County that has “for a long time terrorized Kenyans and foreigners in matters regarding phone snatching.”
Police emphasized that the offenses under investigation are serious crimes that attract severe penalties, and expressed concerns that the suspects might abscond if released at this time.
The court was also informed that there are other accomplices still at large, and the current respondents have indicated their willingness to assist in their arrest.
The matter is scheduled to be mentioned again for compliance confirmation with the court orders.
