'Bishop' arrested in Kiambu on suspicion of possessing stolen car

A crowd gathers around an allegedly stolen car. Julius Towei, who told police he is a bishop, was found driving the vehicle in Limuru, Kiambu, on July 31, 2014. Mr Towei, his wife and their driver were arrested in order to help police with investigations into the theft claim. PHOTO | ANNE MACHARIA | NATION

By  ANNE MACHARIA

What you need to know:

  • The vehicle’s original number plates had been changed and a cut-out system installed.
  • A man claiming to be the owner trailed the car from Naivasha to Limuru.
  • He alerted security officers at a bank who in turn informed AP officers.
  • The suspects were arrested and later transferred to Lang'ata police station where the theft had been reported.

Police in Limuru, Kiambu County, have arrested a man claiming to be a bishop, his wife and their driver on suspicion of possessing a stolen car.

The vehicle’s original number plates had been changed and a cut-out system installed.

The three were arrested outside a bank on Monday morning after the owner of the vehicle identified it while passing through Naivasha and trailed it all the way to Limuru, where it was parked.

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The said owner, Mr Amin Luyali, informed the bank's security officers, who alerted the area Administration Police (AP) officers.

The AP officers, led by Chief Inspector John Opiyo, searched the vehicle and also arrested the three — Julius Towei, his wife, Nancy Towet, and their driver, Johnson Cheruiyot.

The incident attracted a crowd of people, who came to witness the arrest of the three.

UNABLE TO START CAR

Police had a difficult time starting the vehicle and had to seek the assistance of the car driver to find out where the cut-out device had been installed.

Mr Luyali, who claimed the vehicle was stolen from him, said the vehicle did not have a cut-out system before.

The vehicle, Mr Luyali and the three suspects were taken to Tigoni police station for further questioning.

Mr Luyali reported to the police that the vehicle had been stolen while parked in Lang’ata estate in Nairobi on March 16, 2014.

“I went to the vehicle parking area the morning of March 17 and found the car missing from where I had left it the previous night. I then reported the theft at the Lang’ata police station,” said Mr Luyali.

EXCHANGED CAR

However, in his defence, Mr Towei said he gave his personal vehicle to a person identified only as Rotich in exchange for the one he was now driving.

The allegedly stolen vehicle’s original registration number was KAR 618F, while the number on the vehicle was KAX 492B.

The three suspects were later transferred to the Lang’ata police station, where the theft had been reported.

Limuru police commander Moses Owiti confirmed that the three suspects were in police custody and had been transferred to the Lang’ata police station.

“I urge the residents of Limuru to assist the police in nabbing any suspects who try to use this area for criminal activity,” said Mr Owiti.

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