Gun dealer locks himself in his car, runs down cop while speeding out of Karen police station

Drama on Friday unfolded at Karen Police Station after a suspect escaped custody by locking himself in his car and speeding away following his arrest.

According to a police report obtained by Citizen Digital, the incident ensued when Shailes Mistry, a director at Cateyes Customs Limited, a company which deals with guns, was arrested at a local entertainment joint in Karen, Nairobi for possessing firearms without a permit.

Following his arrest, Mistry was escorted to the Karen Police Station and his car towed.

After conducting an in-depth search in his vehicle, the police managed to recover three pistols and loads of ammunition.

Later, the suspect was escorted to his residence at Southlands Estate Jordan Court House and upon search, a shotgun and 210 rounds of ammunition were recovered.

In his defence, he produced a civilian firearms certificate but the police determined the document had expired on February 21, 2023. 

Two officers, corporal Joseph Etemesi and Police Constable James King'ori were placed in charge of him as they booked him in the cell.

Mistry, however, requested to pick a heavy sweater from his car parked a few metres from the cell. The officers agreed to his request and he accessed his vehicle.

Moments later, the suspect locked himself inside the car and declined to come out, prompting the two officers in charge to alert the station guards for backup.

At the same time, officer King'ori rushed to close the gate as he shouted for help.

The Officer Commanding Station and his deputy stepped out of their offices to stop the suspect but he drove past the main gate, hitting officer King'ori in the process. 

The officer sustained injuries on his left leg, and the scene has since been documented and investigations launched to arrest the suspect.