Thika residents have been asked to be wary of pickpockets in Thika Town, who snatch people's phones and wallets while on street gatherings or when boarding matatus during rush hours.
Speaking on Wednesday after two pickpockets were arrested at Whiteline Matatu stage next to the Thika Sub-County stadium, Thika Police Station OCS Robert Okinya said that they have been receiving several complaints concerning such incidences and his officers have been investigating the matter for sometime.
"We have been receiving reports of cases of pickpocketing for quite sometime now, but it it has been hard to bring the culprits to book because they escape to the surrounding estates once they steal," said Okinya.
He added: "We have however been trailing some idlers who have been masquerading as touts at the main matatu stages. We have discovered that many of them are behind these pickpocketing incidences."
Okinya said that the pickpockets mainly wait at the matatu stages in the evening when passengers scramble for matatus and in the ensuing commotion, rob residents of their phones and other valuables, before disappearing to neighbouring estates.
The OCS also noted that the thugs were also taking advantage of small gatherings in the streets to rob unsuspecting residents.
"When you stand somewhere in the street where there is a group of people, be wary of who is standing next to you because he or she could be a pickpocket," said Okinya.
He however promised to wipe out all the pickpockets in the town, saying that the two who had been arrested will help the police apprehend the rest.