Police in Holo, Kisumu County are looking for two suspects who narrowly escaped a midnight dragnet after a botched burglary at the Holo Trading Centre.

The manhunt follows a confrontation on Tuesday night, during which a third accomplice was arrested after attempting to attack patrolling officers with a machete.

According to police reports, the incident began when Dan Apilo, a local businessman, noticed a break-in in progress at his shop and raised the alarm.

Officers on a routine night patrol swiftly responded to the scene, catching three suspects in the act of forcing their way into the store.

Upon seeing the police, one of the suspects, later identified as 27-year-old Erick Ochieng Ogutu, aggressively charged at the officers while wielding a panga (machete).

Arrest of suspet

In self-defense and to restore order, Police Constable Dickson Nato fired a single warning shot into the air using his official CMZ rifle.

The deafening 5.56mm round successfully spooked the armed suspect, who immediately dropped his weapon and surrendered.

He was subdued, disarmed, and taken into custody at the Holo Police Station.

Taking advantage of the chaotic moments during the confrontation, Ogutu’s two accomplices managed to flee into the darkness.

At the scene, investigators recovered: a panga and a heavy metal crowbar used for the break-in, a 6kg K-Gas cylinder, several assorted water taps, which authorities believe were stolen from another property earlier that night.

According to Kisumu West sub county commander Phantom Analo, the search operation is currently underway across Holo location to track down the two fleeing suspects.