Trader held over theft of Uhuru’s escort car
What you need to know:
- “The garage owner is a major player in a cartel that steals vehicles, repaints them and sells the cars after acquiring fake number plates. The gang operates across East Africa,”Mr Ikunywa said.
- However, presidential spokesman Manoah Esipisu immediately denied that the vehicle was under Presidential Escort. He said that it belonged to the police service.
A garage owner in Nakuru was Monday remanded in custody over the theft of a presidential escort vehicle that disappeared last week.
Mr Aggrey Ochieng was first charged with being in possession of a stolen Toyota Avensis that police said was found parked at his garage at London Estate along the Nakuru-Kabarak road on August 30.
The mechanic, who was still in overall Monday, also faced a second count of possessing a gun without a certificate.
He denied both charges and asked to be released on bond.
But the prosecutor, Mr Cosmas Ikunywa urged the court to remand Mr Ochieng as he had volunteered to provide information on the theft of the State House vehicle.
“The garage owner is a major player in a cartel that steals vehicles, repaints them and sells the cars after acquiring fake number plates. The gang operates across East Africa,” Mr Ikunywa said.
BEFORE BEING SOLD
Police claimed the presidential escort car was taken to his garage before being resold.
“We have good leads and we believe that the suspect will help us unravel the mystery and many others,” said a police source.
The vehicle was stolen last Wednesday after an armed gang carjacked a policeman.
The driver, Inspector David Machui was later released but the gang stole the vehicle.
However, presidential spokesman Manoah Esipisu immediately denied that the vehicle was under Presidential Escort .
He said that it belonged to the police service.
Nakuru senior principal magistrate John Mwaniki said the case will be mentioned in a week’s time, when the application for bail will be revisited.
The case will be heard on October 22.
