Two thieves were apprehended in a Chuka town bar after breaking into Mutube Baptist Church in Karingani ward and stealing musical instruments, the pastor’s clerical collar, and anointing oil.
The robbery was discovered by a congregant who went to morning prayers on Wednesday and discovered the church doors had been forced open.
Upon entering, she discovered that all instruments had been stolen, with the exception of a keyboard.
Reverend in charge Franklin Mutwiri stated that after learning of the theft, he and other clerics traced the steps, which were easy to identify due to the rain.
“The thieves broke into the church store amid heavy rainfall and made away with three loudspeakers, a guitar, mixer and microphones among other items worth at least Sh400,000,” said Mr Mutwiri.
The mission took them to rental homes, and one of the tenants told them where the perpetrators might have gone.
He directed the pastor to search various bars in Chuka town, and the culprits were arrested at the first stop with the musical instruments.
The perpetrators were nabbed, along with a bartender and some customers who were caught up in the melee.
Residents urged police to beef up security on the outskirts of Chuka, where theft is rampant.
The suspects also admitted to transporting the items on two motorbikes belonging to their accomplices.
Police officers had a hard time putting the suspects in the vehicle as angry members threatened to lynch them, arguing that they would be released and come back to torment them.
