3 terrorists arrested, 5 on run as police launch a manhunt – Meru.

Three members of a notorious criminal gang that have become the nightmare of Meru residents according to DCI, have been arrested in an ongoing operation to quell an upsurge in violent robberies in the region.

The three were Narman Kioo Bariu, Stephen Mathenge Njoroge and Matthew Koome alias Pator are reported to be wanted for various felonies pending before Meru, Githongo and Nanyuki law courts, including murder, robbery, attempted defilement and house breaking.

During the stealth operation which also led to the recovery of two motor vehicles used by the suspects to traverse the county to their target spots, the ring leader of the gang Jeremy Mutethia escaped police dragnet by slipping away through a camouflaged opening in his wooden house.

Part of the information held by the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau detectives indicate that Jeremy and Narman met previously at Meru GK prison as remandees for robbery with violence and murder charges respectively, and have been out on bond.

Having obtained the slightest lease of liberty, Jeremy is reported to have led his gang in a spate of violent robberies including the Turkwel Filling Station (Tigania West) night attack on April 24, 2023 where pump attendants were robbed at gunpoint.

In the 2am incident, the victims were tied with ropes after a hail of blows and kicks by 8 men who were armed with two AK47 rifles, before disappearing with Sh57,000 cash & a safe box with an unknown amount of money.

Later on in the morning of May 14, the gang accosted a bodaboda rider at Makutano, Imenti North in a botched attempt to rob his motorbike. Having failed to cooperate, they shot at him frenziedly hitting his left arm and damaging the bike. He luckily survived.

As the arrested suspects continue being interrogated, the DCI warns members of the public that Jeremy and a number of his gang members are still out there, armed and dangerous.

However, it is just a matter of time before detectives pounce on them as the No Guns for Gangs operation heightens.

Should you have any information on Jeremy Mutethia or any other gun-toting felon, please Fichua kwa DCI by dialing our toll-free.