Kohima Police Additional SP/PRO and others addressing a press conference on June 21. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima Police crack KMC robbery, link accused to 11 burglary cases
Morung Express News
Kohima | June 21
In a significant breakthrough, Kohima Police arrested a man in connection with the recent high-profile burglary at the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) complex on June 3 and linked him to a series of 10 other burglary cases reported in Kohima town since August 2023.
Addressing a press conference at the Superintendent of Police’s office here on Saturday, Additional SP and PRO, Kohima Police, Soriso, informed that the arrested person has been identified as Kekietuo, aged around 35, a resident of T. Khel under Kohima Village. He was reportedly employed as a driver with the Police Engineering Project in Kohima.
The arrest was made during an operation on the evening of June 20 at around 4 PM. The police confirmed that the total amount stolen from the KMC office during the intervening night of June 2 and 3 was Rs 95 lakh.
Following the incident, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted by Kohima Police to probe the case. Police said that Kekietuo had recently purchased a brand-new Maruti Suzuki Jimny using cash suspected to be linked to the stolen funds. The vehicle was found to be unregistered at the time of seizure.
During the press briefing, police revealed that a search of the accused’s residence led to the seizure of 31 items, including approximately Rs 38 lakh in cash. In a separate search of his vehicle, a Hyundai Creta, police recovered 20 more items allegedly used in the commission of the crimes. Both vehicles—the Jimny and the Creta—have been taken into custody.
Police said that following the daring KMC heist, the investigation team intensified efforts over the past two and a half weeks, deploying a mix of forensic tools and human intelligence. A key breakthrough came when the team traced suspicious spending patterns and high-value purchases, including large cash payments for vehicles and other assets.
One crucial lead emerged when it was established that a Creta vehicle had been used in a past burglary, prompting coordination with the Regional Transport Office (RTO). Investigators cross-checked multiple suspects by analysing bank transactions, showroom purchases, land deals and rental activity.
According to police, once sufficient evidence and intelligence were gathered, the suspect was detained for questioning. During interrogation, he reportedly admitted to committing multiple burglaries across Kohima over the past two years amounting to Rs 1.5 crore. These include Rs 45 lakh from Baptist College (August 14, 2023); Rs 22.50 lakh from D Khel (January 27, 2024); Rs 35, 000 from Oriental College (April 11, 2024); Rs 3 lakh from Kohima College Kohima (July 2, 2024); Rs 38,000 from Nexa showroom (November 13, 2024); Rs 4.59 lakh from Vuto Motors (November 29, 2024); Rs 1.80 lakh from North Treasury (February 3, 2025); Rs 10.83 lakh from Entrepreneurs Development Agency (March 24, 2025); Rs 69,000 from BOC, Mato complex (May 8, 2025); Rs 2.13 lakh from Okusa Toyota (June 1, 2025) and Rs 95 lakh from KMC office (June 3, 2025).
Police informed that the confession bring closure to these cases and will focus on recovering the stolen assets. Further legal proceedings will follow as the investigation is formally concluded and charges are being framed, the police added. While the accused has confessed, police are still investigating the possible involvement of accomplices.
Main accused in narcotics theft arrested
In a separate development, Kohima Police arrested the main accused in connection with the theft of heroin from the Malkhana (evidence storage room) of the Prosecution Inspector’s Court in Kohima.
The incident took place in the early hours of March 22, 2025, and involved the theft of 45 soap cases containing approximately 675 grams of suspected heroin, which were part of evidence in several pending court cases.
Police said the accused, identified as Kevichutuo Cüze, 28, was arrested on June 13. He has since been remanded to judicial custody, while further investigation into the case is ongoing. It assured the public of its continued vigilance and commitment to maintaining law and order in the city.
