Police officers from Mtwapa Police Station in Kilifi County have arrested a suspected repeat offender and recovered a large consignment of property believed to be stolen in an intelligence-led operation that has raised fresh concern over the circulation of stolen goods along the Coast.
The suspect, identified as Pius Muthama Joseph, 38, was arrested on Monday, May 11 after officers attached to Kilifi South Sub-County received a tip-off from a member of the public while conducting a routine patrol within Mtwapa Township.
According to Sub-County Police Commander Hassan Kochale, officers first searched the suspect’s water refilling shop before proceeding to his residence, where they recovered a large assortment of items allegedly unrelated to the business.
“When my officers arrived at his shop, they found property that has absolutely no connection to a water refilling business,” Kochale said.
Among the items recovered were 20 gas cylinders from different companies, four television sets, a laptop, 26 mobile phones mostly Samsung models, several tablets, three fans, two sound systems, an amplifier, a welding machine, a grinder, a heat gun and assorted gas accessories.
Police said the phones and tablets had been locked inside a safe which the suspect claimed he could neither open nor access. Officers later broke open the safe in his presence and recovered the electronics.
Other items recovered included four wristwatches, four rings, eight silver chains, a panga, a knife, six remote controls, four extension cables, assorted clothing and 24 SIM cards from Safaricom and Airtel.
The significance of the recovery became evident when a resident arrived at the station while officers were cataloguing the exhibits and identified one of the recovered gas cylinders as his stolen property.
According to police, the resident claimed the cylinder had been stolen after he briefly stepped out of his house for less than five minutes.
Kochale expressed concern over what he described as a growing network of scrap metal dealers and informal pawnshops allegedly facilitating the circulation of stolen goods along the Coast.
“People take their belongings there and are given money. The buyer does not know what kind of item they are receiving,” he said.
The police commander further revealed that the suspect had previously been arrested over similar allegations and that the earlier case is still active in court, with the suspect currently out on bail.
“I urge the court to take firm and decisive action against this particular person. This cannot continue,” Kochale said.
Police have appealed to members of the public who may recognise any of the recovered items to report to Mtwapa Police Station to assist with identification and investigations.
The suspect remains in custody awaiting arraignment, while all recovered items have been retained as exhibits.
