Home of motorcycle theft suspect burnt down in Meru

What you need to know:

  • Among items found in the home of the locally renowned trader were engines, number plates and petrol tanks.

  • The items were found in the home of Mr Stephen Mugambi alias ‘Mwakuri o Nthenge’.

  • The trader was arrested alongside a transporter and mechanic, who were found dismantling a motorbike.

Police in Mikinduri, Meru County have arrested three suspects in a motorbike theft right that has left four boda boda riders dead in the last four months.

The theft ring has been fuelled by the ever rising demand for motorcycle spare parts as the boda boda sectors grows.

Among items found in the home of the locally renowned trader were engines, number plates and petrol tanks.

The items were found in the home of Mr Stephen Mugambi alias ‘Mwakuri o Nthenge’.

The Mikinduri chief Jacob Michuki, who led the operation to arrest the suspects, said some of stolen goods were stashed under a pile of firewood and animal feed. Other spare parts were found in a bunker, bathroom and under a bed.

The trader, who owns a kiosk near Mikinduri town, was arrested alongside a transporter and mechanic, who were found dismantling a motorbike.

According to the residents, the suspect is popular for his contribution to debates on local issues in most of the local radio stations.

“He was a regular caller in majority of radio stations that broadcast in Kimeru. He was a darling of many morning show presenters due to his daily updates on what was happening in Mikinduri. We could not suspect him for being involved in this kind of crime,” Mr Simon Mugaa, a resident said.

The arrest comes after residents intensified calls for improved security following the killing of three boda boda riders in the last three months.

Police sources told Nation that the stolen motorbikes were being taken to the trader’s home before being dismantled and transported to Meru town.

“The latest victim was killed on April 15 near the home of the suspect. However, we could not suspect him. He had four fierce dogs which we believe were meant to keep off neighbours,” Mr Michuki said.

The chief said police investigations will reveal where the spare parts from the stolen motorbikes were being sold.

“We have been following leads given by members of the public for the last two weeks before we were informed that a motorbike was being dismantled in the suspect’s home. The motorbike parts were being transported in sacks,” he said.

Immediately after the police took away the suspects to Mikinduri Police station, angry residents and boda boda riders set on fire the trader’s home, killed his goats, chicken and pigs before clearing the banana farm.

A shop and a vehicle were also reduced to ashes before locals carted away some parts of the pickup.