CCTV captures daring theft of 1.7 million Kenyan shillings from Nairobi businessman

A chilling robbery has taken place along Mombasa Road, leaving a businessman reeling after a gang followed him from a bank and made off with Ksh1.7 million. The robbery, carried out with alarming precision, took place on August 1 and has left detectives scrambling for clues.

The businessman, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, told police about his shocking experience.

After withdrawing the considerable amount from a bank on Mombasa Road, he drove to his home in Syokimau. Unbeknownst to him, a gang had been keeping an eye on him.

When he arrived at his apartment building, the gang broke into his car, where he had hidden the money in the trunk. The brazen thieves followed him for almost three miles from the bank, waiting for the right moment to strike.

They even managed to enter the apartment complex and create a diversionary maneuver while their accomplices looted the car.

Security footage from the bank and apartment complex captured crucial details of the operation. The CCTV footage shows a suspect loitering in the bank’s queue, seemingly innocent, but later identified as part of the criminal gang.

He left the moment the businessman was served and, together with his accomplices, began the search for the victim.

The gang’s surveillance was meticulous. They watched the businessman put the money in the trunk of the car and then followed him to Syokimau. Once at the apartment, they waited for him to enter before breaking into the car.

The robbery, which was carried out without violence, was discovered several minutes later when the victim returned to his car.

Athi River DCI chief Wesley Kiprotich said investigators were pursuing promising leads. The vehicle used by the gang had false number plates, adding to the complexity of the investigation.

Both the crime scene and the bank where the money was withdrawn were visited by police for further investigation.

The incident has heightened concerns about a worrying trend of criminals following bank customers who withdraw large sums of money. Police have warned the public about the risks of taking large sums of money and warned against complacency.

They revealed that some thieves pose as bank customers to identify potential victims and then warn their accomplices.

The case points to a disturbing pattern involving sophisticated criminal networks. It is suspected that these gangs are made up of individuals with police equipment, such as radios and handcuffs, which increases their operational effectiveness.

The use of multiple resources and high-level coordination indicate that these criminals are well organised and may be part of larger networks.

The victim’s case is part of a wider concern in Nairobi, where such targeted crimes are on the rise. Police investigations suggest this could be an inside job, with some suspects possibly being bank employees or having ties to law enforcement. Despite the ongoing investigation, no arrests or recoveries have been reported.