Detectives in Kisumu have recovered more than 500 stolen mobile phones and arrested two suspects in an intensified crackdown on phone theft and dismantling syndicates operating in the city.
Speaking to the media at his office in Kisumu on Monday, County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Stephen Ambani said detectives attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kisumu had received numerous complaints over the rising cases of mobile phone theft within the Kisumu Central Business District.
Ambani said the investigations were boosted by collaboration between the National Police Service, the DCI and mobile-phone financing dealer Mogo, who have been assisting detectives in tracing handsets issued to their customers.
He revealed that on Friday, detectives raided a shop in Kisumu CBD where they recovered an assortment of mobile phones, accessories and equipment allegedly used to dismantle handsets, arresting two suspects during the operation.
According to Ambani, investigators established that the suspects had specialised tools used to open mobile phones and remove their motherboards, which are reportedly in high demand in the illicit market.
“A comprehensive search was undertaken, and an assortment of mobile phones, both new and old, were recovered from a shop in the CBD. A comprehensive inventory was undertaken, and it was established that the shop had tools used to remove motherboards,” Ambani said.
He added that many of the phones recovered were new and appeared to have been stolen shortly after purchase before being taken to the shop for dismantling.
“We established that motherboards are a hot commodity in the market, and most of the phones we recovered had no motherboards,” he said.
The CCIO said detectives were investigating the destination of the removed motherboards and other components, warning people against buying mobile phones from unlicensed dealers.
He urged Kisumu residents who have lost their phones to visit the DCI offices at Central Police Station to help identify and reclaim their gadgets where ownership is verified.
The county investigations boss also urged members of the public to promptly report cases of lost or stolen phones to the police, saying timely reporting could help detectives trace and recover the devices.
He commended Mogo dealers for working with the National Police Service and DCI in tracing and recovering phones linked to reported theft cases.
Ambani warned that the crackdown would continue and that no one found in possession of stolen mobile phones would be spared.
Muhoroni melee
Ambani also addressed last Friday’s deadly melee in Muhoroni Sub-County in which three young men died while several others were injured.
He said investigations were ongoing to establish what triggered the confrontation and determine whether it was linked to alleged goonism or criminal activities.
The CCIO warned young people against forming gangs to engage in crime, urging them instead to pursue lawful activities and avoid being drawn into criminal networks.
He said detectives would continue with investigations until those responsible for any criminal acts were identified and brought to justice.
