Police shoot and injure suspect in Diani

File Image of a Police Car

Police shot and injured a wanted suspect in a dramatic chase in Diani Township, Kwale County.

The drama happened on Wednesday afternoon after the suspect was spotted at his newly rented house in Ibiza area, police said.

The suspect was, according to police, wanted over a series of robberies in the area and had been on the run for days.

Police said as they approached the scene, he escaped into Chobingo Forest prompting a brief chase.

One of the officers opened fire from his pistol and hit the man in the right thigh immobilizing him.

He was later identified as Athman Mohamed Matezo alias Dangote aged 36.

Police said he is facing at least three robbery with violence charges in local courts and is out on bond.

He was rushed to a local hospital where he was admitted under police guard.

Police said they recovered a panga that he had in a bag that had his clothes.

The area has been experiencing sporadic crime wave from gangs armed with pangas. Police responded by arresting dozens of suspects who are currently facing various charges.

Meanwhile, police are investigating an incident where a police officer lobbed a teargas canister into a bar in a dispute over a bill he had incurred therein in Mbooni, Makueni County.

The officer is said to have refused to pay a bill of Sh995 at the bar prompting the management to confiscate his mobile phone.

He left and came back armed with a teargas canister that he lobed therein causing a pandemonium.

Other revelers who were present scampered for their safety before regrouping and started to bay for his blood.

A crowd gathered at the scene threatening to lynch him before a reinforcement arrived and rescued him, police said.

Police said they are investigating the drama and that the officer was injured in the mouth in the scuffle.

A team visited the bar on Thursday as part of the probe into the saga.