Nairobi-based detectives on Thursday, March 28 arrested five suspected thugs who reportedly stole nearly KSh2 million from a motorist in South C.

The suspects taken in have since been identified as; Charles Nzomo, Paul Mukungi, Vincent Juma Raguma, Jane Mueni Mutinda, and Shaban Rashid Maingi who each played different roles.

Two weeks ago, the five allegedly broke into a BMW X1 belonging to one businessman in South C and stole cash among other items.

“…he had just parked his BMW X1 along Muhoho Road opposite Rubis Petrol Station and entered an auto parts shop when the felons struck,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said.

Less than five minutes later when he returned to his vehicle, he found his rear window broken and a missing bag in the back seat which contained cash.

Rummaging through the vehicle, the businessman also realized his KCB, DTB & Gulf African Bank ATM cards, national ID card, smart driving license, and assorted job-related documents were also missing.

He filed a report at Akila Police Station in Lang’ata. Later that evening, however, he received an alert on his phone of a KSh40,000 withdrawal from his KCB account and a similar amount from his DTB account.

The Nairobi region Crime Research team launched a trail for the suspects starting with CCTV footage at the petrol station where the BMW was parked.

Nzomo, the first suspect was seen breaking into the vehicle.

“The footage also captured Paul Mukungi and Vincent Juma Raguma keeping watch as Nzomo employed his childhood skills in hunting with a catapult to smash the car window,” DCI added.

Jane, the female suspect, was stalking the victim while the fifth thug Shaban Rashid Maingi waited for them in a Mazda Demio within the vicinity.

Investigations revealed that number plate KCE 822F fitted on the Mazda Demio actually belonged to a Subaru car. The vehicle was traced to Tsavo Gardens on Thursday evening.

“In it were found the victim’s KCB ATM card and car-breaking tools including a catapult,” the investigative agency added.

Detectives arrested the other four suspects within the day and all five were booked at DCI Lang’ata where they will spend the Easter awaiting arraignment on Tuesday next week.

Another trail is on for a sixth suspect identified as Rodgers Ndung’u, who allegedly fled to Mombasa. The sleuths believe this group is part of a larger syndicate of motor vehicle thugs in Nairobi.