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Police are yet to recover over Sh85 million, part of the Sh94.9 million belonging to Quickmart Supermarket, a week after it was stolen while in transit to the bank.

The revelation comes after police raided a rented premise located behind TRM Kasarani, Nairobi and recovered Sh9,101,300 which is suspected to be part of the Sh94.9 million.

Yesterday, five suspects among them employees of Wells Fargo Company were paraded in court and detained for ten days pending investigations.

Milimani Principal Magistrate Zainab Abdul granted police 10 days, instead of 21 days as sought, to complete investigations.

She said the prosecution’s application to detain the five suspects was merited given the large amount of money that was stolen.

Ismael Patrick Gitonga, Michael Njeru, Samuel Onyango, Martin Nderi and James Mbatia have been remanded at Capitol Hill Police Station in Nairobi.

An affidavit filed by Inspector Michael Kimilu before the court states that he is investigating the criminal offence of conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to section 393 of the penal code.

On transit

Kimilu says that his investigations follow a report by a complainant George Jaramba on behalf of Wells Fargo Limited vide Akila Police Station OB No 22/06/11/2023.

Investigations established that the cash amounting to Sh94,916,750 belonging to Quickmart Supermarkets which was in transit to Family Bank Kenyatta Avenue branch, was stolen by known employees of Wells Fargo.

Kimilu said the suspects committed the offence in collaboration with other unknown persons moments after the cash in transit vehicle registration number KBA SITT commonly known as K09 had departed from Fargo House in South C at about 0714hrs on November 6 this year.

Upon receipt of the incident report, the investigations team proceeded to the scene of crime along Southern bypass in South C area where motor vehicle KBA S commonly known as K09 was found abandoned with its engine running,” the court documents read. The court further heard that the scene was processed and the motor vehicle searched whereby it was noted that the consignment of cash which had been stashed in three blue metallic boxes was missing and the Wells Fargo crew commander Daniel Mugetha and driver Antony Ndiuki missing and the mobile phone numbers switched off.

Analysis was conducted and motor vehicle registration number KBM 75W Fielder white in colour was spotted trailing the said Wells Fargo van and later made away with the consignment in three blue boxes, he said.

He added that both day and night search operations were activated by the investigation team leading to the arrest of Ismael Patrick Gitonga who is the registered owner of KBM 751W in Ongata Rongai on November 10, 2023.

Investigations traced the motor vehicle to Njiru Chokaa area along Kangundo road at the residence of Michael Njeru where the same was found undergoing modifications by one Samwel  Onyango. 

The officer said the investigation intensified upon interrogation of Njeru and Onyango and eventually traced and apprehended James Mbatia on November 11.

A search at his rented premise located at room A Roybain Heights behind TRM Kasarani led to the recovery of the Sh9,101,300