How DCI Tracked Down Notorious Car Theft Suspect After Weeks in Hiding

Detectives arrested a suspected car thief Samuel Omondi Audi in Mai Mahiu in a major car theft breakthrough, marking progress in investigations into vehicle theft and alleged narcotics transportation.

Authorities tracked the suspect using intelligence reports and arrested him on Thursday evening.

Following the arrest, victims whose vehicles were allegedly stolen after being hired gathered at Mlolongo Police Station where they recorded statements linking the suspect to a wider syndicate.

Car Theft Victims Recount Ordeal

Haron Getui Obino explained how tracking efforts led to the suspect’s arrest and exposed attempts to disguise stolen vehicles.

“We successfully tracked the suspect using a satellite system and found him hiding in Mai Mahiu. Officers then brought him to Mlolongo Police Station, where the first complainant identified the vehicle he had. It was a Fielder, but he had changed the number plates and replaced them with Subaru plates. I am also one of the victims; our car had been stolen,” Obino said.

Similarly, another victim confirmed the loss of their vehicle.

“I am one of those affected; our car had been stolen,” the victim said.

At the same time, Frank Wandiga said victims acted quickly after hearing about the arrest and rushed to the scene.

“When we heard that he had been arrested in Mai Mahiu, we decided to follow up immediately. We believe this will help recover our vehicles and reduce car theft cases,” Wandiga said.

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How the Suspect Operated

According to victims, the suspect allegedly hired vehicles using false details and then disappeared with them.

In one case, a vehicle owner described how their car was taken and later recovered under suspicious circumstances.

“On the 19th, we hired out a vehicle to a man identified as Samuel Audi. He came to our office on Ngong Road. We gave him a Mazda CX-5, which he claimed he would use around Migori and the SIA area. However, on the 22nd, police intercepted the vehicle at night. By morning, we learned that the car was carrying illegal goods worth 13.4 million,” the owner said.

Furthermore, a mechanic warned colleagues about suspicious requests involving vehicle trackers.

“I want to warn fellow mechanics: if someone asks you to remove a car tracker and you were not the one who installed it, that person is likely a thief,” the mechanic said.

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Concerns Over Bail Laws

However, Obino raised concerns about the legal process, warning that suspects often return to crime after release.

“When a suspect like this is arrested, what happens next? He is released on cash bail because the law requires that a person be taken to court within 24 hours. If other officers searching for him are unaware of the arrest, he is released and goes back to committing crimes,” Obino said.

Meanwhile, Samuel Omondi is expected to appear in court on Monday as police continue with investigations as more victims come forward.

Authorities believe the suspect may be part of a larger car theft network operating across multiple regions.

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A photo collage of Samuel Omondi Audi, a suspect arrested in Mai Mahui over Car theft. PHOTO/ Screengrab.