Kiambu police boss has asked the resident to make sure they buy genuine new products which are properly receipted to avoid getting conned.
Speaking to the press from office on Monday, Ng’etich said that the trade in used items had flourished as people sought for cheap items due to hard economic times. He noted that this business was mainly run by youth whom he claimed could be used as intermediaries by thieves trying to dispose of stolen items.
According to the officer phones which were the most reported as lost items, were also the main items in used items business. He said that if someone was killed during the loss of his property the handler of the goods might be jailed for life.
“Most of these phones were stolen during mugging, robberies or just pick pocketed from owners within town. One can easily go to jail for being found in possession of the stolen goods and many people are even serving life jail term for the same offence,” The officer said.
Ng'etich warned that once caught with a stolen item, the buyers would have no defense and end up being charged in court for theft or handling stolen properties.
The officer noted that the police had been able to identify the various operational points for the businesses and warned that police were investigating further to allow for arrest and consequent charging of those involved.