Investigation Seeks to Detain Suspects in Sh94.9 Million Quickmart Heist

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : Five suspects allegedly involved in the Sh94.9 million Quickmart Heist are facing possible detention pending investigations, as the State Prosecution has filed an affidavit at the Milimani law courts seeking their continued custody. Inspector Michael Kimilu informed the court that he is currently investigating a criminal offense of conspiracy to commit a felony as per section 393 of the penal code.

The investigation was initiated following a report by George Jaramba, on behalf of Wells Fargo Limited, which was filed at the Akila police station under OB No 22/06/11/2023. It was revealed that an amount totaling Sh94 million, belonging to Quickmart Supermarket and en route to a local bank, was stolen by known employees of Wells Fargo.

According to Inspector Kimilu, the suspects carried out the offense in coordination with unidentified accomplices shortly after the cash-in-transit vehicle had left Fargo House in South C at around 07:14 hrs. The incident was reported, and the investigation team proceeded to the crime scene along Southern bypass in the South C area, where they found a motor vehicle abandoned with its engine running.

Further examination of the crime scene determined that the consignment of cash, stored in three blue metallic boxes, was missing. The Wells Fargo crew commander, Daniel Mugetha, and the driver, Antony Ndiuki, were reported missing, and their mobile phone numbers were found to be switched off.

Through analysis, it was discovered that a white Toyota Fielder was spotted following the Wells Fargo van and later made away with the stolen cash. This crucial lead prompted the investigation team to conduct day and night search operations, which resulted in the arrest of a man identified as Ismael Patrick Gitonga, the owner of the vehicle. Gitonga was apprehended in Ongata Rongai on November 10, 2023.

Further investigations led the authorities to the Njiru Chokaa area along Kangundo Road, where the aforementioned motor vehicle (registration number KBM 751W) was found undergoing modifications. Two suspects, Michael Matolo Njeru and Samuel Onyango, who were in the process of modifying the vehicle, were arrested.

The investigation gained momentum after the interrogation of Njeru and Onyango, ultimately leading to the tracing and arrest of Martin Nderi Nganga on November 11, 2023. During a search at Nganga’s rented premises in Kasarani, authorities recovered Sh9,101,300. Following leads obtained from Patrick Gitonga, a separate operation on November 12, 2023, led to the arrest of the fifth suspect, James Mbatia Kariuki, an employee of Wells Fargo Limited.

While seeking more time to detain the five suspects, Inspector Kimilu expressed concerns that their release on bail at this stage of the investigation would jeopardize the case. He emphasized that the suspects are a flight risk, as they had been on the run since November 6 before their arrests. The investigator also highlighted the substantial amount of money stolen by the respondents, a significant portion of which remains accessible to them, raising concerns that they might use these funds to flee the country.

Intelligence gathered by investigators further suggested that there were plans for the suspects to leave the country shortly before their arrest. Tracing the suspects proved challenging, as they were actively hiding and aware of the ongoing pursuit by the investigation team.

State prosecutor Abel Omariba requested the court to grant 21 days, explaining that the mobile phones recovered from the suspects had not yet been sent to the cybercrime unit for analysis. Additionally, the known and related residences of the suspects are yet to be searched for any further recovery of the remaining stolen amount.

Opposing their detention, the suspects maintained their innocence and pleaded to be released on bail while the investigations are ongoing. Their lawyers also alleged that the suspects had been subjected to torture, with Mr. Mbatia unable to walk.

Milimani Principal Magistrate Zainab Abdul granted the police 10 days for further detention, justifying the application based on the substantial amount of money stolen. Consequently, the suspects have been remanded at Capitol Hill Police Station..