Police in North Imenti Sub-County have recovered more than 80 smartphones and four laptops after a night operation that also led to the arrest of four suspects, among them a juvenile.
North Imenti Sub-County Police Commander Ambrose Kyalo said the raid was carried out on Wednesday night after officers received intelligence regarding a stolen mobile phone. The suspect was tracked down and allegedly led police to a premises where the gadgets were found.
“We have an assortment of all manner of phones. Last night, following intelligence that a phone had been stolen, the suspect led our officers to a premises where this cache of phones and laptops was recovered,” Kyalo said.
Police recovered 80 mobile phones, with 67 already flashed and 23 dismantled for spare parts. Officers also seized four laptops, one Samsung and three HP suspected to have been used in the criminal operation.
“One of the laptops has a special software application used to flash phones,” Kyalo added.
The suspects are believed to be part of an organised syndicate that has been targeting residents of Gitimbine, GoDown, Gakoromone and parts of Meru town. Kyalo termed the operation a significant step in tackling phone theft in the area.
“This is a major breakthrough and a warning to phone snatchers. We have four suspects in custody who led us to unravel this syndicate,” he said.
The commander noted that the main suspect, who claims to be a juvenile, had been arrested before Christmas, released last week, and allegedly returned to crime soon after. The owner of the premises where the gadgets were recovered is also among those detained.
Investigations have now been handed over to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to pursue additional suspects linked to the network.
Kyalo urged members of the public who may have lost their phones to visit Meru Police Station to identify and reclaim their property.
“We have realised that most of these phones were not reported as stolen. We urge members of the public to come forward and identify their lost phones,” he said.
He warned criminals involved in phone theft that police were tightening the noose.
“We are now on the upper hand. We will crack them and apprehend all their accomplices. We are on top of things,” Kyalo said.
