Second-hand dealers in Kikuyu have been cautioned against buying items from people without receipts of ownership as it may land them to trouble. This follows a raid led by Kikuyu Deputy OCS, Inspector Christopher Kimiti after reports from a resident in Kamuguga, Kikuyu Sub County that she had seen her stolen electronics in a second-hand dealer shop in the area.
When police raided the shop they found valuables some of which had been reported stolen. The owner of the shop was arrested and placed in police custody pending investigations. When confirming the incident the Kikuyu Deputy OCS Inspector Kamiti said that the dealer was arrested for being in posession of stolen items in his shop. The items had been stolen by the "Raia" gang.
Inspector Kamiti explained that dealers have a tendancy of buying items from residents without any concern where they have been taken from. The Deputy OCS added that such dealers have encouraged crime as youths engage in criminal activities and get away with valuables that they know where they will sell them.
He revealed that in such cases the second-hand dealers are assumed to be working with criminals to establish their business. "I send a warning to second-hand dealers to be very cautious with whatever they purchase and they should ensure its genuine. However those who will be arrested for possessing stolen items in their shops will be prosecuted and face the law as those working with criminals,".
Francis Wahome, a second-hand dealer in Kamuguga said that he takes items from people who have the receipts to prove the ownership. He added that some people approach him with valuables but they have no ownership and he dismisses them having known the risk in it. He mentioned that in the business he doesn't allow such individuals as they may land him to the wrong side of the law.