Three more charged over theft of Sh30m from Othaya’s Equity Bank branch

From left: Martin Mwangi Githinji, Kelvin Kamiri and Lucy Karambu appear in Othaya Law Courts on November 30, 2015 where they are facing charges of involvement in the October robbery of Sh30 million at Othaya Equity Bank branch. They did not take plea as police sought for more time to complete investigations. The case will be mentioned on December 7, 2015. PHOTO | NICHOLAS KOMU | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• Police sources revealed that two of the suspects were captured on bank’s CCTV surveillance cameras.
• A third suspect is said to have escaped during the operation.
• Ms Karambu requested to be released from police custody on grounds that she was unwell and that her children were left unattended.
• However, Resident Magistrate Raymond Kibet dismissed the request.

By NICHOLAS KOMU
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Two men and a woman have been charged over the theft of Sh30 million from Equity Bank in Othaya, Nyeri County.

The three were arraigned in in an Othaya court on Monday but were not allowed to take pleas as investigations are not complete.

This brings to 12 the total number of people arrested over the biggest heist in the region.

The three, Mr Martin Mwangi Githinji, Mr Kelvin Kamiri Karanja and Ms Lucy Karambu Mutua were arrested in Kawangware, Nairobi by CID officers.

According to an affidavit sworn in court by the investigating officer, the suspects are very closely linked to the theft that took place on October 2, 2015.

Police sought more time to conclude their investigations that have been ongoing for two months now.

RELEASE REQUEST DENIED

One of the suspects, Ms Karambu, requested to be released from police custody on grounds that she was unwell and that her children were left unattended.

However, Resident magistrate Raymond Kibet dismissed the request.

Police sources revealed that two of the suspects were captured on bank’s CCTV surveillance cameras.

It is through this information that a search was initiated which culminated in the arrest of the suspects in the Kawangware suburbs of Nairobi on Sunday.

A third suspect is said to have escaped during the operation.

The Othaya court gave police five days to conclude investigations while the suspects remain in custody.

The case will be mentioned on December 7, 2015.

On the day of the robbery, three men walked into the bank posing as auditors and took away Sh30.9 million in what police said was an inside job.

No money has been recovered yet.