Five arrested as detectives crack motor theft–livestock crime ring

Detectives have arrested five suspects believed to be members of a notorious gang behind motor vehicle and livestock thefts across Kirinyaga, Nyeri, and Murang’a counties, according to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

The intelligence-led operation was launched after a Toyota Sienta vanished without a trace, in a case reported at Kiaruhiu Police Station in Nyeri County.

Armed with crucial intelligence, law enforcement swooped in on the gang’s ringleader at Kagicha area, as he plotted to meet his partners in crime to sell off the stolen vehicle.

Under interrogation, the leader led detectives to Skuta area in Nyeri County, where the stolen Sienta lay camouflaged with fake plates.

The operation continued with a further ambush, intercepting a getaway vehicle, a Toyota Succeed carrying four accomplices.

A quick search of the vehicle turned up ten sisal ropes, a panga, two knives, a rungu, and a master key, further revealing their criminal intentions.

As detectives delved deeper, they uncovered that, on the same night the gang stole the vehicle, they also stole and slaughtered livestock and sold the meat to shady butchers, fuelling a black market that has no regard for the law.

It has also been established that the gang is linked to an ongoing stock theft case currently ongoing at the Kerugoya Law Courts.

All the suspects are in custody, undergoing processing pending arraignment, as investigations and operations to trail additional accomplices continue.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations remains committed to dismantling organised criminal networks involved in motor vehicle theft, stock theft and other related offences through sustained intelligence-led operations and close collaboration with members of the public across affected regions in Kenya.

Detectives said the arrests mark a significant breakthrough in efforts to curb organised theft syndicates operating across the region. They added that operations remain ongoing to trace additional suspects and dismantle the wider network believed to be supporting the illegal trade, according to DCI.

Further investigations are ongoing.