- Criminals have been allegedly breaking into people's cars and stealing valuables, such as money, phones and laptops.
- Residents have called on the law enforcement agencies to intensify patrol in the city.
Image: THE STAR
Two suspects have been arrested in Kisumu city for stealing.
Kisumu county police commander Kipkirui Ngeno confirmed the arrest of the suspects.
Ngeno said one of the suspects Erick Ogembo was arrested on Friday and will be charged for theft of motor vehicle parts.
He is being held at Kondele Police Station and will be taken to court on Monday.
The other suspect Opanyi Peter Joseph was arrested by officers from Kisumu Central Police Station on Thursday after he tried to cash a stolen cheque at Bank of Baroda.
"He was taken to court on Friday and charged with stealing, forgery and uttering a false document," Ngeno said.
The police boss said investigation to apprehend the other suspects is in progress. “We call upon people who have been victims of this cartel to make reports in any of our stations to aid in investigation."
He said Kisumu Central subcounty police commander James Ng'etich has intensified patrols to ensure residents are protected.
“We are committed to ensure citizens are safe. All those engaged in criminal activities will be arrested,” Ngeno said.
He also urged the public to work closely with police to weed out criminals in their midst saying security is a collective responsibility.
The arrest comes barely three days after Kisumu residents following public uproar over suspected members of a criminal gang who have been terrorising them in the city.
The criminals have been allegedly breaking into people's cars and stealing valuables, such as money, phones and laptops.
Mostly they target those who operate within Odinga Street, Ang'awa Street and City Square area where banks are located.
The banks include Kenya Commercial Bank, Cooperative, Equity and Absa formerly Barclays and Baroda.
Others which the gang targets their clients include Family bank, Chase, I&M and KCB Bank on Obote Road.
The public recently raised concerns and shared information and pictures of the suspected gang members on social media allegedly stealing and robbing from their targeted victims.
The arrests come amidst increased cases of stealing and robbery of residents after withdrawing large amounts of money from various banks.
Locals claimed that the syndicate colludes with rogue bank cashiers to rob the unsuspecting clients after making huge amounts of money.
They said the images of suspected member gangs trending in social media are familiar faces, especially in areas where victims have been robbed and cars broken into.
"These people strategically position themselves at the designated car parking of banks timing those who have made large withdrawals of money to rob them," one victim said.
The victim, who sought anonymity, said the criminals usually accost their targeted victims when they already know the exact amount of money they have withdrawn.
Residents called on the police to intensify patrol in the city, especially around the financial institutions to eradicate the syndicate.
They also urged banks to maximise their security systems to help restore confidence of the public in their facilities.