Large quantity of stolen tools seized by Ballinasloe Gardai

A large quantity of stolen tools worth in the region of €10,000 was recovered by Gardai in Ballinasloe last week and they are now anxious to reunite the equipment with it's owners. Local officers investigating the theft of a 4 x 4 vehicle from the Dublin area last March arrested two men in their mid 20's in Caltra, Ballinasloe last Wednesday, after they intercepted the vehicle at a checkpoint at approximately 4pm. Both men were arrested at the scene and brought to Ballinasloe Garda Station for questioning. As part of a follow-up operation, a number of searches of houses were carried out in Ballinasloe and Loughrea and a significant amount of tools and a Mercedes van believed to have been stolen prior to this was recovered. The total value of the items seized by gardai is estimated to be in the region of €65,000. The Mercedes Van is valued at €25,000 with the 4 x 4 worth €30,000, and assorted tools coming in at €10,000. The recovered tools are believed to be have been stolen throughout the West of Ireland over the last couple of months and officers are now endeavouring to locate owners for this property. Among the items recovered were chain saws, angle grinders, power washers, boxes of tools, floodlights, electric drills, an assortment of electric saws, and other items. A comprehensive list of the items is available on the Garda website at www.garda.ie If any members of the public think they own any of this property they can contact Ballinasloe Garda Station on 090 9631890. Both men detained in relation to the incident were subsequently released without charge and a file is currently being prepared for the DPP.