A car dealer was arrested after allegedly stealing a rival’s Sh33 million Range Rover in a deal that turned sour. The incident unfolded on Sunday, with the suspect attempting to settle a debt by unlawfully taking the vehicle from another dealer. The arrest was made after a complaint was filed with the police, and the dealer was brought before a Kibera Court on Monday. Magistrate Samson Temu authorized the police to hold him for 14 days while they complete their investigation.
According to the details provided in the miscellaneous application submitted to the court, the suspect faces charges of theft and obtaining money by false pretenses. The complainant, Rashid Mohamed, told police that the suspect had shown interest in purchasing the luxury car, which was initially priced at Sh34 million. Mohamed referred the suspect to his sales manager at Alvis Motors along Ngong Road on April 10, where the dealer requested to test-drive the vehicle to show it to a potential client.
The salesperson agreed to accompany the suspect to meet the alleged buyer, and the two drove the car to a location along Dennis Pritt Road. However, attempts to locate the supposed buyer proved unsuccessful. On Friday, the suspect insisted that there was still an interested client, and they drove the Range Rover to a restaurant along State House Road. At the restaurant, the suspect managed to slip away with the car and drove it to a parking yard in Westlands, where a person claiming to be a buyer was waiting.
According to the police, the suspect met with the apparent buyer, who allegedly paid Sh21 million for the vehicle. While they were conversing and ordering food at the restaurant, the suspect excused himself to take a phone call, but instead, he disappeared with the car. The salesperson soon realized the vehicle was missing from where it had been parked and rushed to Kilimani Police Station to file a report.
Following the report, the police began tracking down the suspect. They were able to locate him in Runda, while the car was found parked in a yard in Westlands. The vehicle was recovered and impounded by the Kilimani police as part of the ongoing investigation. Kilimani Police Commander Patricia Yegon confirmed that investigations are underway, and efforts are being made to determine if there are other complaints involving the suspect. In addition to the initial complainant, three other individuals have come forward with similar allegations against the car dealer.
Authorities are closely monitoring the case, as incidents of fraud in the car dealership industry have become increasingly prevalent. The police are dedicated to cracking down on these fraudulent activities and ensuring that those involved face appropriate legal consequences. With the investigation still ongoing, the authorities are keen to uncover whether the suspect has been involved in other illegal dealings within the industry.
As the case continues to develop, the police urge anyone with similar experiences to come forward. The authorities are committed to taking action against fraudulent practices in the automotive trade, aiming to protect both businesses and consumers from such deceptive schemes. The case serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in high-stakes car deals and the importance of safeguarding transactions in the competitive world of vehicle sales.
