Police have arrested a second suspect linked to a sophisticated vehicle theft syndicate operating in Makueni County. The suspect, identified as Kioko, was apprehended in Makindu following intensive investigations by detectives tracking a stolen vehicle case.
Kioko’s arrest comes days after his alleged accomplice, Musyoka Mutava, was captured and a stolen Subaru Trezia recovered in Ukia, Makueni Sub-County. Authorities believe that Kioko played a central role in planning the theft and orchestrating the getaway, making him a key figure in the criminal operation.
According to police sources, the syndicate targeted parked vehicles, with evidence pointing to a coordinated attack on the Subaru Trezia before its subsequent concealment in Ukia. Surveillance efforts and witness statements helped piece together the events leading to the recovery of the stolen car and ultimately to Kioko’s capture.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) revealed that Kioko was tracked through mobile phone records, eyewitness accounts, and his suspected connections to previously reported vehicle thefts in the region. Upon arrest, he was transferred to a secure location for processing.
He is currently in custody as investigators work to link him formally to the case already before the court, in which Mutava stands accused. Prosecutors have indicated that they intend to enjoin Kioko’s case with that of his co-accused to ensure a comprehensive trial against the syndicate.
“The arrest of Kioko marks a significant step in dismantling a vehicle theft ring that has plagued Makueni and surrounding counties,” said a senior DCI officer involved in the case. “We are pursuing further leads, and additional arrests may follow as the investigation widens.”
Authorities are urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities involving vehicles, especially in remote areas. The stolen Subaru Trezia has since been returned to its rightful owner, and forensic examinations are ongoing to uncover more evidence linking the suspects to other unsolved cases.
The case underscores the growing sophistication of vehicle theft syndicates and the need for enhanced collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the community in tackling such crimes.
