Police in Thika have arrested three persons of interest after they were arrested with a toy pistol along the Juja-Thika road.

The arrest has come after several reports of mobile phone thefts within the Jomoko area of Thika West Sub-County, prompting police officers from Ngoingwa Police Station to intensify surveillance and patrols to put a stop to the criminal activity targeting members of the public.

Taking to their social media handle on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the National Police Service (NPS) has confirmed the arrests, saying that preliminary intelligence revealed that the perpetrators were operating using a motorcycle, snatching mobile phones from unsuspecting victims before fleeing the scene.

“Acting on this information, officers laid a well-coordinated ambush along the identified route. During the operation, a motorcycle carrying three male suspects approached from the direction of Juja.”

“Officers swiftly moved in and successfully arrested all three persons of interest, who are aged between 22 and 24. A search conducted at the scene led to the recovery of a toy pistol, which had been used to intimidate victims during the commission of the crimes,” NPS stated.

The NPS confirmed that upon interrogation, the arrested persons disclosed that they were from a different neighbourhood in Nairobi County and had been travelling to the area specifically to snatch mobile phones from members of the public.

The suspects have been taken into custody as police conduct investigations, while the recovered item has been secured as an exhibit.

NPS has added that the service will remain on high alert, sustaining proactive operations to curb insecurity. The service has also affirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and property of all.

Cases of phone snatching have been on the rise in major towns, where gangs are using motorcycles to snatch phones from members of the public, and the police service has called on the members of the public to be cautious while operating phones in these major towns and report to the police in such cases.