In a significant breakthrough, Kohima police spearheaded by its Special Investigation Team (SIT) solved the recent break-in and theft at the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) office along with a string of 11 high-profile burglary cases involving an estimated Rs.1.5 crore cash plaguing the city since August 2023, wherein one individual has been arrested.
According to the police, the accused, Kekietuo (35 years), a resident of Kohima was apprehended on June 20 evening and has confessed to all crimes. The accused is said to be a driver at the office of the Chief Engineer, Police Engineering Project.
PRO Kohima police Soriso K Quinker while briefing the media at the office of the Superintendent of Police Kohima, said the SIT intensified its investigation after the audacious heist at the KMC Office on June 3 last. The team employed a combination of advanced technology for forensic analysis and suspect identification, coupled with crucial human intelligence gathering which led them to a suspicious spending pattern by the accused following the KMC heist and subsequent arrest.
During interrogation, the accused reported to have confessed to committing 11 other major burglaries across Kohima that were unsolved since August 2023 amounting to approximately Rs.1.5 crore.
The PRO said police is actively pursuing leads to recover the stolen property, particularly the substantial amount taken from the KMC. Searches are ongoing based on the accused’s statements. Further, it was informed that the team is also trying to uncover more such cases of burglary which could have been committed by the accused.
“This breakthrough is a testament to the unwavering resolve of the Kohima Police force. Our teams utilized every available resource – cutting-edge technology and invaluable human intelligence – working day and night to track down the individual responsible for terrorizing businesses and institutions across our city for nearly two years. The confession brings closure to these cases and reinforces our commitment to public safety. We are focused now on recovering the stolen assets. This success sends a clear message– crime will not go unpunished in Kohima,” Quinker said.
He said investigation is ongoing and the police is yet to ascertain if the accused has had any accomplices. As of Saturday, police have recovered around Rs.38 lakhs. As per the PRO, following the arrest, police carried out a search at the accused’s residence at T Khel Kohima village where they seized around 31 items. Police also seized his vehicles wherein around 20 items which were believed to have been used during the crimes.
The accused Kekietuo is in police custody, and further legal proceedings are expected to follow as the investigation is formally concluded and charges are framed.
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Police details on the 11 burglary cases the accused was involved in:
