Mombasa County commissioner Evans Achoki during a past media briefing in his office. [Photo/ Maxwell Ngala]
A man suspected to be a member of a criminal gang terrorizing residents in Mombasa’s Buxton estate was on Friday beaten by an angry mob.
The suspect, who was allegedly caught tampering with electricity meter boxes was saved from the irate mob by police officers.The officers who were patrolling the area arrested the suspect and took him to the Makupa police station.Residents said the area has been plagued by rampant theft of electricity meters, adding that the criminals’ intention is to plunge the estate into darkness so that they can carry out robberies at night.This comes after residents last week raised alarm over increased robbery cases in the estate.“Thieves are on the prowl targeting electricity meters and cutting off power to facilitate perfect cover for night raids,” said Yusuf Mohammed, a resident.Mohammed said robbers last week broke into one of his neighbour’s house, a senior employee in the county government, and stole electronic goods worth Sh11,000.Jamal Ahmed, a resident, urged police to increase patrols in the area to ensure the culprits are arrested and brought to book.“We suspect these gangs hail from the neighbouring Kiziwi informal settlement which is known for harbouring criminals,” he said.On his part, Mombasa County Commissioner Evans Achoki assured residents that police have put in place measures to tame criminal gangs in the county.