Mystery as gardaí investigate 'identical crimes' in multiple locations

Gardaí in the Mid-West are investigating identical crimes in two different locations, where burgled cars have not been recovered.

The first burglary took place at a house in Bellewood, Ballyneety in county Limerick between 9pm last Thursday night, September  19 and 7.30am on Friday morning, September 20.

The thief forced the front door in and stole the car keys of a blue Audi Q5 which was parked outside. 

“The thief used the car keys to access the car and then subsequently drove off in the car at high speed into Bruff and then on towards Kilmallock,” said garda John Finnerty of Limerick's Henry St. garda station.

The “exact same crime” was carried out in Castletroy, on the outskirts of Limerick city, last Thursday morning, September 19, at 2.20am, Garda Finnerty added. 

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“A thief forced open a side door of a private residence at River Mews, Woodhaven, Castletroy. He made his way inside and stole the car keys to a blue Seat Leon Estate, which was owned by the family and was parked outside. 

“The thief used the car keys to subsequently steal the car. We don’t have a direction of travel.”

Neither stolen cars have been recovered.

Gardaí at Castleconnell are investigating the second theft in Castletroy and can be reached at 061 377105, while the Ballyneety gardaí can be reached at 061 351102.