Suspect linked to spate of robberies in Mombasa arrested

Police in Mombasa are detaining in custody a robbery with violence suspect believed to be behind a series of crimes in the coastal town.

Mombasa County Police Commander Johnston Ipara said the suspect was arrested by his officers on patrol on Monday.

"In the night of Sunday-Monday, our officers on patrol within Mwembe Tayari bus terminal found five people standing, three men and two women who were suspicious.

 They were stopped and upon questioning them they took off in different directions. Our officers chased and caught up with one of them,” Mr Ipara said.

 Police also recovered a Barretta pistol with seven rounds of ammunitions.

 Mr Ipara said at least three people are in custody at Central police station helping police with investigations.

 "We believe we are going to make more arrests by close of day today. They will be charged for various offenses in Mombasa," the police boss said. 

The recovered gun, he said, has been used in various crimes including Inuka area of Likoni where a businessman was attacked and lost Sh60,000, Changamwe-Jomvu and along Moi Avenue.

Mr Ipara also commented on the killing of a young man in Mtongwe on Monday.

He said the youth was reported to have been stealing goats in the area, but when he was accosted at his hide out, he attacked an officer with a machete who fired at him, fatally injuring him.

 “When called upon to come out, the suspect emerged with a panga with the intention to hit the officer who shot him in defence,” the police commander added.

Mr Ipara said the suspect will remain in police custody as they piece information together.

“It is a long journey to court for him but we will make a request to allow us some time to conclude this investigation which we believe that it will involve a lot of travelling to arrest some culprits who we believe stay away from this county,” he said.