Suspect caught robbing Kenyans on camera at a restaurant in Nairobi / HANDOUT
Detectives shot and killed a key suspect linked to the brazen armed robbery at a popular restaurant in Westlands, Nairobi, and recovered a Beretta pistol following a fierce shootout in Joska, Machakos County.
The suspect is also believed to have been part of a criminal network behind a series of violent robberies across Nairobi, Kiambu and Machakos counties.
Acting swiftly on crucial intel, detectives from DCI Headquarters joined forces with their DCI Matungulu counterparts to launch a raid on a house in Joska Town, where the suspect had reportedly taken refuge in his girlfriend’s house.
Upon identifying themselves and ordering the occupants to open the door, the suspect opened fire through a kitchen window, spraying bullets at the officers. Detectives returned fire in self-defence.
After securing the premises and gaining entry, the detectives discovered the suspect lying fatally wounded inside the house.
A Beretta pistol, loaded with a magazine containing four rounds of 9mm ammunition, alongside live rounds and spent cartridges, were recovered at the scene.
Also recovered were three mobile phones.
Preliminary investigations strongly link the suspect to the recent daylight robbery along General Mathenge Road in Spring Valley, Westlands, where armed thugs terrorised diners, snatching phones and valuables before fleeing on motorcycles.
The recovered firearm is now in the custody of the National Police Service Forensic Laboratory (NPSFL), where ballistic experts will examine it for possible links to other violent crimes.
Meanwhile, a manhunt is underway to trail down the suspect's accomplices, who remain at large.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling violent criminal networks and ensuring that all those involved in serious crimes face the full force of the law.
The gang, riding on two motorcycles, struck Chaiiwali Hotel at around 10.40 p.m. after two of the suspects entered the restaurant pretending to be customers.
Once inside, they drew pistols and robbed patrons of seven mobile phones and one HP laptop in a robbery that lasted less than a minute.
Before fleeing towards the Parklands area, the attackers fired two rounds into the air. Police recovered a spent 9mm cartridge at the scene as evidence.
Investigators later tracked the stolen mobile phones to the Kariobangi area as efforts to identify and arrest the suspects continue.
Police said a team of detectives was pursuing the gang with
an intention of getting those behind the same.
The customers were left shaken during and after the attack caught on camera.
Footage shared showed the gunmen with face masks with pistols and demanding valuables at gunpoint.
They grabbed what they could before they stormed out and shot to the air to scare those who could dare confront them.
Some customers were seen taking cover as the gang shot to the air and escaped on motorcycles.
Police said they were pursuing good leads into the attack and efforts to trace and arrest the gang were ongoing.
