Police officers in Kitui County have arrested four suspects linked to robbing a businessman, Kes 900,000, who was riding his motorcycle from Mwingi Town to Tseikuru.

According to police, the suspects who robbed Pater Mwasi Kimani include Aron Macharia (29), Alex Kamwaki Kilonzo (33), Amos Mutuku (27), and Ben Mbatha (30).

Police recovered Kes 599,000 and a toy pistol from the suspects in a report circulated on Thursday.

The incident occurred one day after the National Police Service (NPS) declared that they would be taking action against a criminal group that was active along Mombasa Road in Mlolongo and Makueni.

Authorities connected the group to a car theft ring that operated in Tanzania and Kenya, the intended market for stolen automobiles and auto parts.

The NPS stated in a statement on Wednesday that the alleged carjackers had been using a variety of tactics to deceive unwary car owners.

The accused were named by the authorities as George Maloba Osokho, Morris Muli Lumumba, Edward Rogova Mudachi, and Martin Nyamai.

The results of investigations have shown that the four had a history of criminal activity dating back to October 28, 2023, in Makueni.

“Their strategies include the hiring of vehicles for weddings/engagements from companies, never to return the vehicles,” NPS said.

Further, the Authority urged motor vehicle owners and car rentals to be wary of the syndicate.

Police zeroed in on the suspects on January 14 following the theft of a motor vehicle in Kitui Kwa Vonza.

They were charged at Makueni Law Courts on February 20 for robbery with violence and remanded at Makueni Main Prison after pleading not guilty.