Police in Eldoret have arrested 15 suspects linked to a car theft syndicate that operates in major towns within the Rift Valley region.
The suspects have also been linked to increased theft of livestock from homes.
Uasin Gishu police commander Johnstonne Ipara on Thursday said the suspects were arrested in Eldoret, Kericho and Bomet towns.
He said eight vehicles stolen over the last week alone were recovered in the homes of the suspects who are believed to have been in operation for at least one year.
More than 300 vehicles have been reported stolen in Eldoret alone this year, the police boss said.
“For the last one year we have been having complaints of increased stealing of cars and we have been following up to ensure those involved are brought to book”, Ipara told reporters.
He said some of the stolen vehicles were recovered from the home of one of the suspects in Litein town. The vehicles were taken to Eldoret police station where the suspects were being held.
Ipara said the court had allowed police to hold the suspects for one week in order to complete investigations. Seven of the suspects were arrested earlier this week with the rest nabbed earlier.
“We are still investigating and looking for three more suspects involved in these criminal activities,” Ipara said.
He said police recovered fake number plates and other documents linked to the suspects. The police boss said they were working with KRA and other agencies to unravel the fake registration of vehicles and possible tax evasion by the suspects.
Last week, police raided a home in Nandi where they recovered 12 cars and tractors suspected to have been stolen and hidden by a prominent businessman. The matter is still under investigations.
Ipara said they have arrested five suspects linked to theft of cattle from homes in Eldoret and other parts of the North Rift region. The suspects arrested included a former KDF officer. They were found transporting eight stolen cattle in a lorry.
“We have intensified our operations to ensure we deal with criminal incidents in our town and other neighbouring regions.”
At the same time, a commercial sex worker was arrested in Eldoret with chemicals used to drug her targets before stealing from them.
Ipara says several such cases have been reported with more prostitutes targeted for arrest.
He said owners of bars that entertain commercial sex workers were being investigated for colluding with the prostitutes to steal from patrons.
edited by peter obuya
