Six suspects linked to highway robberies arrested in Molo

Police are holding six suspects linked to cases of stealing from lorries in transit in Molo.

The group are members of the “Kata Hema” gang which is behind a series of attacks on lorries in transit.

They also target local lorries on a stretch between Salgaa and Molo on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway and steal property.

Police say they at times place spikes on the road to deflate tyres before striking.

Many drivers have also been left with injuries after they tried to resist the attacks.

According to police, the gang usually arrive with separate lorries to offload their loot and escape with the same.

On Sunday, a team of detectives staged an operation in the area and arrested the six linked to the trend.

This followed a tip-off that the gang was waiting in the Tumaini area to strike at night.

Police said the suspects are under interrogation as part of the probe into the crime.

They were expected in court where police made a miscellaneous application to detain them pending further probe.

Cases of attacks on lorries carrying valuables have been on the rise on the stretch amid calls from the drivers for enhanced security.

Elsewhere in Makindu, a driver was robbed of a car in transit.

The driver told police the grey Nissan Note was destined for Kiambu and had offered a lift to two passengers from Mombasa.

On reaching Kibwezi Interchange, one of the passengers requested to alight and immediately two men joined them and tied the driver on both hands and legs and then bundled him into the vehicle's back seat.

He said they took control of the vehicle and later the driver was abandoned within Kibarani along Makindu's general direction.

He was not injured during the incident.

He reported the matter to Makindu police station before he was detained for interrogation.

Police say they are looking for the car following the Monday incident.