Two people have been arrested in a botched daytime bulldozer theft in Matungulu, Machakos County.
The two were arrested after they were busted stealing the equipment at Tala town on Thursday.
Matungulu subcounty police commander Peter Omondi said the incident happened within Tala Town at around 11 am.
“The two are being held at Tala police station for stealing a bulldozer. The duo was arrested after they were busted while using a loader to steal the equipment,” Omondi told the Star by phone hours after the incident.
Omondi said the suspects claimed to have been hired by other people to carry the bulldozer.
The assailants disappeared upon noticing the police presence at the scene.
He said the equipment that was being stolen belonged to a local businessman.
The police boss said the bulldozer was parked at a parking within the town when the incident occurred.
“The loader and crane lifter have been impounded at Tala police station as exhibits,” Omondi said.
Omondi said the suspects would be arraigned on Friday.
He said they had launched a manhunt on the assailants.
The incident happened a fortnight after police shot dead a suspected member of a car theft syndicate gang in Machakos a fortnight ago.
The man was shot dead as police busted a car theft syndicate within Machakos Township on September 8, 2023.
Another one was arrested during the police operation that led to the recovery of a fake gun and stolen vehicle.
Machakos County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia then said the two were part of a car theft syndicate that had been terrorizing residents in Machakos and neighbouring counties.
Lobolia said the incident happened on Friday along Machakos - Kangundo road within Machakos township at around 12.30 pm.
The fatally injured suspect was identified as Arnest Kitheka Benson while his accomplice Dennis Mwangi Kinywa was arrested and detained at Machakos police station.
"Today we managed to get part of highway robbers specifically those who steal vehicles and who have for the last three weeks been targeting cars of Isuzu Dmax make along the Nairobi - Mombasa highway," Lobolia said.
