Police thwart armed robbery, arrest one as two escape in Mombasa
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, May 6, 2026Police officers in Mombasa Central Sub-County successfully foiled an armed robbery incident at a local business establishment in Mwembe Tayari in the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 6, 2026, arresting one person of interest as two others escaped.
Taking it to their social media X handle on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the National Police Service (NPS) reported that officials of Mombasa Central Police Station were on regular foot patrol when they promptly responded to a distress call raised from the premises. Three armed men had burst into the business, pretending to be patrons, and then attacked the business and attempted to rob it.
“Police officers in Mombasa Central Sub-County have arrested a person of interest following a foiled armed robbery at a local establishment in Mwembe Tayari early on Wednesday morning,” the NPS statement read in part.
“The officers from Mombasa Central Police Station, while on foot patrol, swiftly responded to a distress call and foiled the robbery. Three suspects, posing as customers, had stormed the premises armed with machetes (pangas), terrorising patrons and staff. The officers successfully subdued and apprehended one suspect. A sharp panga was recovered from him at the scene. Two accomplices managed to flee and remain at large,” the statement added.
The machete-wielding group is reported to have intimidated employees and customers, triggering panic as they tried to make the robbery happen. Their plans were thwarted, though, when the officers arrived at the scene within minutes of the alert.
NPS has further noted that the timely action of the officers resulted in the arrest of one person of interest, who was restrained after a short altercation. During the attempted robbery, a panga was recovered by the police, as it was believed to have been used during the attempted robbery.
Two other persons who are believed to have been involved in the incident fled the scene and are currently being pursued as the investigations are still in progress. Security teams have stepped up their effort to trace and arrest the remaining persons of interest.
The arrested person is being detained at Mombasa Central Police Station, where he is helping the officers in their current investigations.
Police applauded the swift action
The officers involved have been applauded by security agencies because of their prompt and decisive action, as they intervened and prevented what could have escalated to become a more violent criminal incident.
The National Police Service has reasserted its belief in proactive policing and has encouraged the citizens of the state to be vigilant. The citizens are also urged to report any suspicious behaviour using emergency lines provided by the service.