CCTV footage in police hands from the four Barclays Bank ATMs affected pointed to a masked middle-aged man with a backpack making his way into a Probox vehicle with two other suspects onboard.
As police seek to solve the mystery, the Head of Cyber Security at Internet Solutions Kenya, Dr. Bright Mawudor, such a sophisticated loot can only be effected in a well-coordinated inside job.
On Thursday, DCI boss George Kinoti stated that the Sh14 million heist was an inside job and some employees of the bank must have been aware of what was happening.
“They know exactly what happened. The outsiders were just there to facilitate the operation, after which they go and share the money, but this time we will reveal to the public what happened,” he said at the Coast police headquarters in Mombasa.
“I do not know whether to call it a robbery or not, but I cannot discuss much because the matter is still under investigation. But in due course, we will give you the details of what exactly happened so that other institutions can learn.
However, detectives from the director of criminal investigations have arrested Kenya Constable George Gachungui Njoroge who is based in Isiolo area. It is alleged he is one of the key suspects in the ongoing investigations into the loss of millions of shillings from the bank.
@APSKenya Constable George Gachungui Njoroge who is based in Isiolo area was arrested yesterday evening by @DCI_Kenya Detectives from the #ECCU. He’s one of the key suspects in the ongoing investigations into the loss of millions of shillings from @Barclays_Kenya ATMs in the City pic.twitter.com/G7QReDkdyk— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) April 27, 2019
This came as G4S, which maintains its off-site ATMs, distanced itself from the thefts, saying, it does not guard any of the ATM machines that lost cash.
In an email to the Nation, G4S said it was working closely with investigators to bring the culprits to book.
“The investigation is covering all potential angles and we are determined to ensure that all the culprits are brought to justice,” Mr Tim Malone, the firm’s media relations manager, said.
“G4S is not contracted to provide security guards at the locations of the ATMs that were targeted at any time of the day or night.
But Mr Kinoti said it is believed that someone was watching the CCTV for the thieves.
The DCI said that, given the precision and what was targeted in the robberies, it was clear that there was coordination from within.
For instance, the CCTV that was smeared with a substance by the robbers so they would not be seen was supposed to have triggered an alarm elsewhere.
Are the police slowly turning rogue?