Hundreds of stolen phones seized in Nairobi

Detectives across Nairobi Region have seized hundreds of suspected stolen mobile phones, laptops and tablets in an ongoing crackdown on suspicious phone repair stalls with a view to combating elctronic theft surge.

In the regionwide operation conducted on March 4, 2024, over 182 mobile phones, a laptop, iPad and two heating machines were seized in Ruai and Kamulu areas, when detectives stormed Free Mack Electronic Shop and Kamale Mobile Repair in Ruai, and Friends Communication Shop in Kamulu.

In the operation, five suspects namely Fredrick Maina, Macnair Gedion, Robin Muturi, John Kamau Mwangi and Kelvin Kamau Njuguna were arrested.

In Kamukunji, detectives confiscated 19 suspected stolen mobile phones within Information Shops nos. 3A and 2B, before proceeding to Cianda Market shop no.426 where 10 more phones were found. Samuel Kang’ethe, Anthony Kamau and Kelvin Kihara were arrested.

In Lang’ata’s Mobihub Planet – BIHI Towers, Lynne Wambui and Paul Kamau Wainaina were arrested with 34 suspected stolen phones, and 8 laptops seized at Skydeck Technologies shop by DCI Central detectives. Found in possession of the laptops were Brian Mwangi and Robert Thuo Mwangi who were equally rounded up.

Four other suspects were arrested in Kasarani’s Githurai 44 area in a similar operation.

Meanwhile, 5 robbery with violence suspects who waylaid a Matopeni area dweller at Mukuru kwa Njenga – Reli section stealing from him a jacket and an OPPO phone valued at Sh20,000 were arrested by Embakasi police, recovering the jacket and escorting them to custody.

Bethwel Kiprop, Shadrack Otwori, Edwin Ongori, Mike Sagero and Collins Sigei were ambushed minutes after the robbery, and have since been arraigned.

The DCI Nairobi Region Coordinator has warned mobile phone thieves operating in the guise of phone dealers and phone repair shop owners that detectives are hot on their trail, equally cautioning genuine operators to be careful while handling second hand electronics as they may put them in serious problems with the law.

Pristone Mambili
Author: Pristone Mambili

A trained Journalist with passion for Radio and online Writing.

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