KIAMBU, Kenya — A suspected armed robber was captured on CCTV terrorising clients and staff inside a salon in Ruaka, Kiambu County, before fleeing on a waiting motorcycle after firing several shots into the air.
The incident, captured by surveillance cameras on Friday, July 10, at about 2 p.m., unfolded in broad daylight along a busy street, leaving victims and witnesses shaken.
Gunman Targets Women Outside Salon
Footage obtained by this publication shows a man dressed in green overalls, a black hat and a face mask approaching the salon on foot before pulling out what appeared to be a pistol.
The suspect confronted two women seated outside the premises and ordered them to surrender their mobile phones.
The women screamed upon seeing the firearm, attracting the attention of passers-by.
According to the footage, the gunman then fired a warning shot, triggering panic as members of the public fled in different directions.
Victims Forced Into Salon
One of the women was allegedly forced into the salon at gunpoint, while the second victim managed to escape after handing over her mobile phone.
A second CCTV camera inside the salon shows customers and workers scrambling for safety as the armed suspect entered the premises.
The footage shows the suspect grabbing one of the women inside the salon, forcing her to the ground and demanding her phone and other valuables.
Crowd Forces Suspect to Flee
As screams from inside the salon attracted more people outside, a crowd began gathering near the premises.
According to witnesses, the growing number of onlookers appeared to force the suspect to abandon the robbery before he could steal additional valuables.
While fleeing, the gunman allegedly fired several shots into the air, apparently to disperse members of the public and create an escape route.
He then jumped onto a waiting motorcycle believed to have been positioned nearby before speeding away from the scene.
One of the victims attempted to chase after the suspects, but they escaped.
Victim Recalls Ordeal
One of the victims described the robbery as highly coordinated, saying the suspect’s conduct suggested it was more than an ordinary theft.
“This did not look like an ordinary theft mission owing to how it was executed. Luckily, not much was stolen from it, just one phone from our clients,” the victim said.
Despite the dramatic attack, only one mobile phone was reported stolen.
Investigations Ongoing
No arrests had been made by the time of publication.
Authorities are expected to review the CCTV footage as part of investigations aimed at identifying and tracing the armed suspect and any accomplices involved in the robbery.