G4S workers linked to Sh 72 million theft detained for 7 days
Six G4S workers linked to the theft of Sh 72 million heist by robbers masquerading as police have been detained for even days to enable police complete investigations.
Milimani Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku granted prosecution request to continue holding Musa Rajab, Abraham Mwangi njorong, Ascar Kemunto, Wilfred Nyambane, Natahn Njiru and Danmark magembe at Langa'ata police station pending the matter.
"There are compelling reasons to warrant their detention. The police have established a prema facis case that the offence was committed at their place of work. Therefore l find there is need for the state to conduct comprehensive investigation into the matter," ruled Mutuku.
The orders were granted after Investigating officer constable Joseph Ngeno sought for 10 days them to allow completion of investigations saying that the suspects faces daunting criminal charges and need to establish the truth of the matter.
Police says that that on September 5 G4S personnel were assigned ATM restocking duties left the Headquarters off Witu road with cash on transit van containing approximately Sh 72 million.
Ngeno says that the said money was destined for ATM restocking withing Nairobi and the suspects were accompanied with three armed AP officers designated to escort the said cash.
Prosecution claims that at about 6:05 am the said officers to be robbers and they turned against the suspects taking all the money on transit and bundled them into Nairobi West Standard Chartered bank ATM room and left with the cash.
Further, the gun totting robbers went with the robed off money and disappeared to unknown place.
Prosecution sought to have them detained on grounds that they are yet to scrutinise the CCTV footage from standard Chartered bank Headquarters.
"That the police are yet to receive call data of the suspects mobile phones to ascertain the relationship between the six and other key accessories in this hilarious crime of robbery with violence," says Ngeno.
The court was informed that the police are yet to arrest other suspect at large.
They also opposed the release of the suspect on bail saying that they will interfere with the on going investigations and evidence.
" We need time to ascertain the criminal records, true identity of the two suspects and to prepare for plea," says Ngeno.
The court heard that the suspects being unknown persons refused to show detectives their residences.
At the same time police says that they recovered broken cash boxes and 13 bags that were used in the Sh 72 million money heist from Standard Chartered ATM and G4S Van Nairobi.
It is said that the amount might be higher after it emerged Stanbic Bank, KCB Bank and Barclays bank cash boxes and bags were also recovered at Thogoto forest in Kikuyu sub county Kiambu county.
Thogoto scene of crime was visited by detectives from DCI and photographs taken.
“It was reported by a member of the public on Friday at 12am that he spotted broken cash boxes and cash bags from different banks,” OB number 33/5/2019 recorded reads.
police says that oher items found in the forest were a mobile phone, Itel make, a sim card serial number 89254021104175661927 and a black G4S jacket.
The case will be mentioned on September 18 for further directions.
