Mystery over industrial area bank's 'silent' robbery

By CYRUS OMBATI

Nairobi, Kenya: Three guards have been arrested after suspected thugs broke into I&M Bank branch along Changamwe Road, in Industrial Area, Nairobi and escaped with more than Sh2.4 million.

Police said an unknown number of people broke into the bank through the back door on Sunday night and made away with the cash from ATM dispensers.

Makadara OCPD Nehemiah Lagat said they suspect the guards on duty colluded with the thieves who grabbed the cash from the ATMs and escaped.

“The guards have appeared in court as part of efforts to know how the robbery took place. No shooting happened there,” said Lagat.

He added they suspect the robbery was as a result of an inside job. Police spent their time at the bank yesterday, as accountants were busy balancing and reconciling their accounts.

Other managers were held in meetings and kept mum on the issue saying it is under investigation.

Head of I&M Bank security Julius Waweru said they had confirmed the gang escaped with Sh2.4 million from the ATMs.

“Had they managed to break all ATMs, they could have escaped with Sh4 million but they went with Sh2.4 and left the rest,” he said.

The gang is said to have arrived in a car that waited few metres away before they broke the doors.
 
Police explained yesterday the robbery must have been carried out by people who knew the bank’s operations and doors well.

Cases of robbery of cash from financial institutions have dipped of late due to various measures put in place but the thieves keep changing tactic.