Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have shot dead a suspected armed robber linked to the recent daylight robbery at a popular restaurant in Nairobi’s Spring Valley.
In a statement, the DCI said the detectives recovered a Beretta pistol from the suspect after he was gunned down in Joska, Machakos County.
The operation followed intelligence indicating that the suspect was hiding at his girlfriend’s house in Joska Town. Detectives from the DCI Headquarters teamed up with officers from DCI Matungulu to raid the residence.
“The suspect is also believed to have been part of a criminal network behind a series of violent robberies across Nairobi, Kiambu and Machakos counties.
“Acting swiftly on crucial intel, detectives from DCI Headquarters joined forces with their DCI Matungulu counterparts to launch a raid on a house in Joska Town, where the suspect had reportedly taken refuge in his girlfriend’s house,” DCI stated.
The investigative agency said the officers identified themselves and ordered the occupants to open the door, but the suspect allegedly responded by opening fire through a kitchen window.
“Upon identifying themselves and ordering the occupants to open the door, the suspect opened fire through a kitchen window, spraying bullets at the officers. Detectives returned fire in self-defence,” DCI said.
After securing the house, detectives found the suspect with fatal gunshot wounds inside the premises.
A search of the scene led to the recovery of a Beretta pistol loaded with a magazine containing four rounds of 9mm ammunition.
The DCI officers also recovered additional live rounds, spent cartridges and three mobile phones.
Preliminary investigations have linked the suspect to the brazen robbery along General Mathenge Road in Spring Valley, Westlands, where armed men stormed a popular restaurant, terrorised diners and stole mobile phones and other valuables before escaping on motorcycles.
The recovered firearm has been handed over to the National Police Service Forensic Laboratory (NPSFL), where ballistic experts will examine it to determine whether it was used in other violent crimes.
Meanwhile, detectives have launched a manhunt for the suspect’s accomplices, who remain at large.
