10 suspects arrested as goods stolen from bars recovered in Meru

Police in Meru have arrested ten suspects following a surge in breakings of bars in the county as well as the surrounding Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Laikipia and Kirinyaga counties by a suspected criminal ring.

Detectives on Monday said Boniface Mutwiri, Patrick Mwenda, David Mwaki, Gideon Gatobu, Sharon Makena, Fidelis Kananu, Abdillahi Yussuf, Caroline Kanana, Bonface Kathiri and Martin Mwiti were arrested in a sting operation augmented by the local law enforcement officers in Meru.

In one of the raids and searches at Stinger Lounge Bar whose owner Geoffrey Muriuki is believed to be the mastermind behind the breakings and the custodian of the stolen goods, assorted alcoholic drinks, keg pumps and keg cylinders among other items were recovered.

Police said three vehicles belonging to three suspects were intercepted in the Makutano area and upon search, a panga and metal bars were recovered inside a car.

Two knives, two pangas, two metal bars, two pairs of number plates and empty sacks were recovered in another car driven by Mwaki while the detectives also intercepted another motor car driven by Kirimi.

“Another search at Sharon Makena's house resulted in the recovery of an LG TV, assorted drinks, keg pump, an Infinix phone and a Lumix lens camera, all believed to have been stolen goods,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said in a report.

A manhunt for the Stinger Lounge owner is ongoing as the other suspects undergo processing ahead of their arraignment on Tuesday morning.