- A serving police officer has been arrested in connection with a series of theft cases in Bondo and surrounding areas
- CCTV footage linked the suspect to multiple attacks involving a machete and an AK-47 rifle
- Bondo residents say the poor lighting and lack of patrol cars have exposed them to frequent attacks
A police officer has been arrested following a series of armed robberies reported in the area BondoSiaya county, last week.
Source: Facebook
According to the police incident report filed at the Bondo Police Station, policeman Mark Owino was arrested on Saturday, February 7, at the Holo Police Station around 7pm.
Before his arrest, CCTV footage captured three robbers, one believed to be Owino, armed with a machete and an AK-47 assault rifle, attacking a businessman before fleeing on a motorbike.
The incident on February 3 was reported at Lwala Kotiende Police Station in the early hours of February 4. The violent robbery took place at Ajigo Business Center
What happened during the attack in Ajigo Market?
Ezrah Gumbe, the owner of the Gumbe Mini Shop, said the robbers attacked at 11:35 pm while his three employees were doing the final calculations before closing.
CCTV footage shows one of the attackers hitting the shop assistant with a machete and ordering them to lie down.
The gang then struggled with the inner door of the shop. Gumbe said he was forced to give away all the money earned that day and was injured during the attack.
“When these people (thugs) attacked us, we suffered a huge loss. I lost about KSh 140,000 to KSh 150,000, depending on the amount of my daily sales. I had not closed at all, so we did not count that amount. They also ran away with my phone, my business phone used for M-Pesa, and one of my attendant’s phones,” Gumbe said.
He added that he was seriously injured on his arm. Maurice Otieno, one of the shop attendants, said the robbers entered the shop pretending to be regular customers.
“The one with the machete entered the shop while the one carrying the gun was guarding where we were ordered to lie down. When the person with the machete also entered the shop, we had a chance to run while screaming for help,” Otieno said.
Source: Facebook
What are the security challenges faced by traders in Ajigo?
Gumbe and other traders in the Ajigo market complained of what they described as a deterioration in security, saying criminals have repeatedly disrupted their businesses.
Bonface Were, another trader, said he experienced a similar attack about two years ago.
“I was attacked by criminals, they took my money which I have not received until today, I am still counting the losses, they also cut me with a sword and left me with serious injuries,” he said.
The traders said that the Lwala Kotiende Police Station does not have a patrol car for quick response during emergencies.
They also complained about dimly lit markets and asked the government to prioritize safety and prompt investigation.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Bondo Court of Law on Monday, February 9.
What? How did the gang abandon the robbery?
The three robbers armed with guns and machetes, along with their escaped rider, have been caught on CCTV in several violent robberies.
Shortly after attacking the Gumbe shop, they were recorded on another camera stealing phones from the suspects of the Jaramogi University of Science and Technology Oginga Odinga in the Bondo area.
In the photo, three people are seen relaxing outside the closed shops around 11:00 pm when a motorcycle approaches. The robbers ordered them to lie down before demanding money and phones while threatening to kill them.
During the chaos, one man managed to escape before returning shortly with a bow and arrow. He charges at the fleeing thugs before a gunshot rings out moments later. A person believed to be a security guard is then heard blowing a whistle.
On January 18, another CCTV clip captured the trio robbing a bar in the county Poisonous. According to a video seen by TUKO.co.ke, the attack happened at around 11:44 pm while the bar was serving customers of the last shop.
The robbers beat the two customers who were not expecting them with swords, ordered them to lie on the ground and demanded their phones and passwords M-Money. More stabbings followed as the victims were threatened
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
