KISUMU,Kenya, Mar, 16 – Police officers in Kisumu town have arrested one suspect and launched a manhunt for two others following a botched robbery attempt at a steel hardware store in the county’s industrial area.
According to preliminary reports, two armed assailants are said to have descended on the Jubilee Steel hardware store along the busy Obote road wielding a AK-47 rifle during the midday incident.
Nyanza Regional Police Commander Karanja Muiruri who confirmed the incident said that the robbers had parked their get-away motorcycle just at the entrance of the premise before walking into the store like regular customers.
“One of the robbers had hidden his rifle in a black bag before unveiling it and later demanded money from those in the store,” said police.
The incident which was captured on CCTV camera showed one man wearing a reflector jacket initially standing by the entrance as his partner unveiled his AK-47 rifle which he later brandished giving the unidentified man also wearing a motorcycle helmet the time to steal from the store.
Their efforts proved futile.
“Give me all the money,” the assailant is heard shouting to the store owner before jumping on to the counter as he frantically walks inside the service area looking for cash.
He is then shortly after seen jumping over the counter and leaving with his partner with gunshots heard in the CCTV footage seen by Shhaidi News.
At the time of the incident 10 people were inside the store. One however managed to escape through the front entrance while another through the back. The other victims inside the sitter were forced to lay on the ground during the incident.
“We have arrested one suspect and are looking for the two robbers,” said Nyanza Regional Police Commander Karanja Muiruri.
Detectives have meanwhile also detained an employee at the store suspected to have colluded with the robbers.
No money was stolen during the incident even as CCTV footage showed one of the robber stashing papers that were on top of the counter inside his black bag.
Investigations are ongoing with police further saying that no one was injured during the incident.
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