Police in Kwale County fired four rounds of ammunition at suspected robbers during a botched operation to recover a stolen mobile phone after the attackers allegedly demanded a ransom from their victim.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night in Diani, Msambweni Sub-county.
According to police, a resident of Mwalubemba in Ukunda, was walking to Diani Sea Resort along Beach Road at about 8.30pm when he was accosted by four armed men in the Umoja area.
The gang allegedly robbed him of his black HMD mobile phone before fleeing.
After the robbery, the victim sought help from his son, who called the stolen phone. The suspects answered and instructed them to collect the handset at Malalani Primary School after paying a ransom of Sh2,000.
The matter was reported to Diani Police Station, and officers accompanied the victim and his son to the agreed meeting point.
Police said that upon arriving at the gate of Malalani Primary School, the suspects suddenly emerged and grabbed the victim’s son by the neck, prompting officers to open fire.
Four rounds of 9mm ammunition were discharged during the confrontation.
The suspects abandoned the stolen mobile phone, a panga and two pairs of rubber shoes before fleeing into the darkness.
No injuries were reported during the incident.
Police recovered the abandoned items as exhibits and have launched a manhunt for the four suspects.
Investigations into the robbery with violence incident are ongoing.
A team was on Wednesday pursuing the gang behind the drama.
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