Gang steals 50 bags of coffee worth Sh2m from Gaturiri factory in Nyeri

Workers at Gaturiri Coffee Factory in Mathira, Nyeri County on September 7, 2016 inspect pieces of clothing that were used to tie up guards during a theft on Tuesday night. Fifty five bags of coffee worth Sh2 million was stolen during the heist. PHOTO | NICHOLAS KOMU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The gang of about 50 men broke into the factory at about 11pm on Tuesday night.
  • They tied up the five guards who were on duty using their trousers.
  • Mathira East police boss Matthew Gwiyo said that the officials alerted them about the theft at 5.30am Wednesday.
  • The theft brings the total of amount of coffee stolen in Nyeri this year alone to 395 bags with 200 of those later being recovered.

Fifty five bags of coffee worth over Sh2 million were Tuesday night stolen from Gaturiri factory in Mathira, Nyeri County.

Four officials of Barichu Farmers Society, which the factory is under, and five guards were taken into police custody for questioning over the heist that is believed to have been an inside job.

According to factory workers, a gang of about 50 men broke into the factory at about 11pm on Tuesday night and tied up the five guards who were on duty using their trousers.

The guards also said that some of the men sat on them to make sure they did not try to escape or raise the alarm during the robbery.

They dismantled the security alarm systems before entering the parchment store where they removed 40 bags of grade P1 coffee.

The thieves then proceeded into the bin shed where they stole 15 more bags of high grade coffee.

They reportedly loaded the coffee onto waiting vehicles which the guards said they could identify the type.

NO COMMOTION HEARD

Residents living around the factory said they did not hear any commotion.

The factory manager, James Kibangano, noted that the gang did not force their way into the factory but unlocked the doors into the shed and store.

“They did not break the door. They actually opened the lock. Either they picked the locks or had a duplicate key to the stores,” said Mr Kibangano.

He said only factory and society officials have the keys to the premises and alluded that the theft could have been an inside job.

Mr Kibangano also said that the theft occurred a few weeks after they beefed up security at the factory by employing two additional guards.

Mathira East police boss Matthew Gwiyo said that the officials alerted them about the theft at 5.30am Wednesday, indicating that the heist could have lasted over six hours.

The theft brings the total of amount of coffee stolen in Nyeri this year alone to 395 bags with 200 of those later being recovered.