Clare Gardaí are investigating the theft of a number vehicles from towns and villages across the county over the past week.
Crime Prevention Officer for Clare, Sergeant Catriona Holohan confirmed that cars were taken without their owner’s permission from Shannon, Quin, Ennistymon and Scarriff while a stolen vehicle was recovered in Ennis.
Sgt Holohon outlined the circumstances of each incident and is seek the public’s assistance with the ongoing investigations.
Shannon
Gardaí in Shannon are investigating the theft of a vehicle from Bunratty Castle Gardens estate on Tuesday, the 2nd December. The vehicle was last seen that morning at 8.30am and that evening when the owner returned home, their car, a white Audi A1 was stolen. This white Audi also had a black roof.
Gardaí are looking to speak to anyone that may have observed anyone in the Bunratty Castle Gardens estate last Tuesday or maybe you observed this white Audi A1 with a black roof leave the estate or in the area, local roads or the motorway during the day.
If you did or if you have any information, please contact Shannon Garda Station on 061 369500.
Ennistymon
Ennistymon Gardaí are also investigating the theft of a vehicle from the Carrowkeel West area of Inagh on Thursday, the 4th December at 4am. The vehicle, a blue Toyota Dyna pick up, was parked outside the family home. The perpetrators forced the electric gates open and stole the vehicle.
Gardaí later recovered the vehicle in the Millbrook estate in O’Brien’s Bridge. Gardaí believe the car was parked there at 6am; two people left the car and were collected by another vehicle. The perpetrators in this case were in the Toyota Dyna pick up for two hours and during this time, they made their way to O Brien’s Bridge where they abandoned the vehicle.
Ennistymon Gardaí are asking for the public’s assistance with their investigation. If you were travelling on any roads between Inagh and O’Briens Bridge between 4am and 6am last Thursday morning, please get in touch with them on 065 7072180.
Quin
Gardaí in Ennis are also investigating the theft of a black Volkswagen Passat from the Dun Na Marach estate in Quin between Thursday night, the 4th December at 7.30pm and Friday morning at 10.30am.
The owner last saw their vehicle after 7pm last Thursday and the following morning they discovered their car, a Volkswagen Passat had been stolen. Ennis Gardaí are appealing for the public’s help in this case and can be contacted on 065 6848100.
Scariff
Scariff Gardaí are continuing their investigation into the theft of a white Vauxhall Vivaro van from Feakle on Saturday morning, the 6th December at approximately 5am. Gardaí believe a number of men entered the yard in a grey or black Audi A4 or similar type vehicle, within a few minutes stole the Vauxhall Vivaro, and drove then to Scariff where they later abandoned the vehicle.
Scariff Gardaí are appealing to homeowners and business owners to please check their C.C.T.V. and Dash Camera footage for last Saturday morning between 3am and 7am. The van was taken just after 5am and found at 6am but they may have been in the area for a number of hours before and after the theft.
If anyone remembers seeing a similar vehicle in the Feakle area in the days before the theft, please come forward too. Scariff Gardaí would like to speak to anyone that may have any information regarding this crime. Scariff Gardaí can be contacted on 061 922790.
Ennis
Meanwhile, Gardaí in Ennis recovered a stolen vehicle on Thursday morning, the 4th December at 7.30am on the Quin Road in Ennis. The silver Citroen C3 was parked at 10pm on Wednesday night in Doora and subsequently stolen.
The perpetrator drove on the Quin Road just after 7am and Gardaí are appealing to anyone that drove along the Quin Road on Thursday morning to please contact them at 065 6848100 or your local Garda Station.
Sgt Holohan also off offered the following crime prevention advice…
Modus Operandi used by car thieves
Keyless Entry
Many modern vehicles utilise a keyless entry system. They work by sending a signal between the key and the vehicle. Relay signal theft can occur when the signal of the key is mimicked and used to gain entry to a vehicle. In order to prevent the key signal-transmitting while away from the vehicle, the key can be placed in a Faraday bag or box or even a biscuit tin for storage. By doing so, these items restrict the radio signal from being emitted from the key and reduce the risk of it being copied.
How can we prevent our vehicles from being stolen?
A visible steering wheel lock or chain should be considered.
Lock doors and fully close windows. Do not be tempted to leave the windows slightly open.
Fit an alarm.
Fit an Immobiliser or use a physical lock.
Install a tracker.
Use a catalytic convertor lock.
Park in a secure carpark.
Park where there is CCTV, when possible.
Fit theft-resistant number plate fittings.
Finally, a sensor linked to your house alarm can be fitted to the vehicle and activate when you are at home.
Sgt Holohan added: “Remember, if you see anything, anyone or any vehicle in your area acting suspiciously or if a vehicle enters your yard that you don’t recognise and you are concerned, please contact ‘999’ immediately.
Try to remember the colour, make of the vehicle, and remember that your safety is paramount. Do not engage with the occupants, please go into your home and lock the door.
If it turns out to be a neighbour or a friend calling, you can ring ‘999’ and cancel the call. An Garda Síochána would like the public to call, it is with their assistance that crimes are prevented, property recovered and offenders identified.”