Three arrested in connection to Violent robbery

By Robert Mutasi 

Detectives in Meru have arrested three individuals suspected of being part of a notorious criminal group responsible for a recent surge in violent thefts across Meru County.

The authorities have named the apprehended suspects as Narman Kioo Bariu, Stephen Mathenge Njoroge, and Matthew Koome, also known as Pator.

On Tuesday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported that the three men were wanted for a variety of serious crimes that are currently under investigation by the courts in Meru, Githongo, and Nanyuki. 

These crimes include murder, robbery, attempted sexual assault, and burglary.

The DCI revealed that a covert operation, which resulted in the seizure of two vehicles used by the suspects to travel across the county to their targets, was carried out. 

However, the gang's alleged leader, Jeremy Mutethia, managed to evade capture by escaping through a hidden exit in his wooden home.

“During the stealth operation which also led to the recovery of two motor vehicles used by the suspects to traverse the county to their target spots, the ring leader of the gang Jeremy Mutethia escaped police dragnet by slipping away through a camouflaged opening in his wooden house,” the DCI stated.

According to the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, Mutethia and Bariu had previously encountered each other in Meru GK prison, where they were held on charges of violent robbery and murder, respectively, they had been released on bail.

Investigators believe that since their release, Mutethia has led his gang in a series of violent thefts, including an armed robbery at the Turkwel Filling Station in Tigania West on the night of April 24, 2023.

During this incident, service station employees were robbed at gunpoint.

The DCI reported that the alleged attackers, armed with two AK47 rifles, stole Sh57,000 in cash and a safe box containing an undisclosed sum of money.

The report also stated that when one victim failed to comply, the robbers shot him multiple times, injuring his left arm and damaging his motorcycle. Fortunately, the victim survived the attack.

“Having failed to cooperate, they shot at him frenziedly hitting his left arm and damaging the bike. He luckily survived,” the agency stated.

The DCI has issued a warning to the public to remain vigilant, as some members of the gang are still at large and may be armed.