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Elizabeth Akinyi Abuto, a suspected leader of a gang of six people with several robbery cases pending before courts, has been implicated in yet another theft of Sh5.1 million in Eldoret.

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) launched investigations after thieves broke into a room at Hayat Hotel in Eldoret and stole Sh1.1 million and Sh4.4 million ($41,000) on July 31.

On Saturday, Eldoret DCI boss Daniel Nchoro and his officers arrested Paul Otieno Owuor, one of the suspects who was captured on CCTV camera at the hotel, in Kisumu.

A vehicle, Toyota Ractis believed to have been bought using stolen cash was also recovered.

Following the arrest, it was further established that Akinyi, commonly referred to as ‘Liz’ and her boyfriend, were the masterminds of the theft.

“Akinyi and the boyfriend booked a room next to the victim’s room so that they could monitor his movements,” police said.

 Akinyi’s boyfriend had for three days, monitored how cash was collected from the rooms and the petrol stations owned by the complainant, Farhan Gedi. The money had accumulated since it was a holiday and could therefore not be banked.

“They had planned to strike because they knew the owner had a lot of money.

This included cash collected on Wednesday, which could not be banked the following day due to the Eid al-Adha festival plus the Thursday and Friday sales,” a detective said.

Farhan Gedi, 35, had reported that he checked into his Hayat Hotel room in the morning and later left for town.

He had left Sh1.1 million and $41,000 in the room. However, when he came back, he found the room having been broken into and the money stolen.

Stolen cash

Detectives from the Uasin Gishu DCI launched investigations and reviewed the hotel’s CCTV.

“After reviewing the CCTV footage it was established that two suspects who had booked the next room were captured coming out of their room and entering Gedi’s room,” the DCI said.

On Friday, detectives tracked down one of the suspects, Paul Otieno Owuor in Kisumu.

“Four other suspects are yet to be arrested. The detectives also managed to recover the vehicle believed to have been bought by Owuor using part of the stolen cash,” police said.

After stealing, Otieno went to Mombasa with Akinyi to buy a vehicle. He escaped a police dragnet in Mombasa, but she was arrested. Otieno stays in Ongata Rongai but prefers staying in lodges.

On May 17  last year, Akinyi and five others were arrested after a violent robbery in Kitengela.

“A Toyota Prado and Nissan Navara, master keys, fake number plates, masking tapes and a safe were also recovered during the arrest,” the DCI said.

The suspects arrested together with Akinyi were Stephen Ngiru Kuria, Wilson Mutua Kitheka, Vincent Odhiambo, Lavender Akinyi Ogilo and Quinter Adhiambo Ong’ino.

They have several cases of robbery with violence, burglary and stealing, pending before different courts, especially in Nairobi and Kajiado.

Several warrants of arrests have been issued against the gang members for failing to comply with bail and bond terms and even absconding court.

When the six were arrested last year, both Akinyi and Lavender had warrants of arrests for absconding court and jumping bail, respectively.

A month earlier, Akinyi was arrested as she attempted to escape on foot from detectives. The three suspects including Akinyi had abandoned the car they were travelling in around Nyayo Stadium.

Detectives searched the vehicle and recovered eight master keys, 180 assorted door keys, masking tapes, a crowbar, a screw driver and assorted fake number plates. The masking tapes, police say, are used to change the vehicle number plates to avoid detection by police or their victims.

Proceeds of crime

Last year, they were arraigned in Kajiado over robbery-related charges. They were denied bond on grounds that they were habitual offenders.

Sergeant Simon Kifani of DCI Kitengela, the investigating officer, told the court the suspects had been linked to a series of cases of house breaking and stealing and robberies within Kitengela and Kilimani.

He added that they had been captured on CCTV at scenes of crime. He also stated that they were in some instances armed and were sometimes operating in the company of foreigners.

They, however, moved to the High Court and were released on Sh200,000 bond each with one surety of a similar amount on October 25 last year after Justice Chacha Mwita ruled that the reasons given for denying them bond did not meet the constitutional threshold.

In March 2016, Akinyi was arrested together with Emmah Wambui Wanjiru and Wilson Marwa Giyabe after they were linked to at least 22 burglary incidents.

Giyabe was said to be helping the gang find a market for the stolen goods in Tanzania. During the arrest, police recovered several master keys and equipment used to commit burglary .

Two days before they were arrested, their gang had broken into about 20 homes within Kilimani and Kileleshwa area.

 In one of the houses, the victims reported to have lost jewellery worth Sh2 million and foreign currency amounting to Sh3 million. Others reportedly lost iPads, electronics, watches, jewelry, bags and cash among other valuables.

“Akinyi is currently building an apartment in Kisumu and it is suspected that the funds are from proceeds of crime,” a senior detective told People Daily.