Garda warning over parked cars in runup to christmas

Lights, beacons and mirrors worth €1,600 were stolen from stationary railway vehicles in Athlone last week.

Gardai are looking for the public’s help to trace the missing items which were taken from two parked rail machines at the Hill of Berries last Thursday. The incident is understood to have occurred sometime between 4am and 1pm on the day in question.

Ahead of the Christmas shoppping rush, a garda spokesperson again reminded people not to leave valuables unsecured or on view in cars in the run-up to the festive season.

The warning comes after two incidents of thefts from cars in the town last week, the first, happening last Tuesday, November 25 at Magazine Road. A window was broken in the vehicle and a purse left on the seat was stolen from the car.

Elsewhere, in a similar incident on Monday evening last, December 1 at around 7.30pm, a parked car was broken into and items left under seat were whipped out by the culprit. The vehicle was parked close to the local Gaelscoil at the time.

Anyone with information about any of the incidents is urged to call Athlone Garda Station 090 6492609.