Romanian crime gang under investigation for alcohol thefts from Tipperary shops

Tipperary Gardaí are investigating a Romanian Organised Crime Gang’s involvement in a spate of alcohol thefts from shops in the county over the past year.

And gardaí from the Premier County played a key role in helping the Police Service of Northern Ireland to arrest two suspected members of the gang and recover substantial stolen property in Newry two weeks ago. 

“Gardaí from the Tipperary division put a stop to their gallop and provided information to the PSNI that led to their arrest and led to a significant seizure,” Tipperary/Clare Garda Division Chief Supt. Aileen Magner told the quarterly meeting of Tipperary’s Joint Policing Committee.

The Romanian OCG’s targeting of stores in this county as part of their nationwide crime spree was highlighted by the Garda chief at the JPC meeting in Tipperary Town.

She said shops were targeted by three to four males and one female using ear pieces and foil lined backpacks. They stole large quantities of alcohol, usually 8 to 10 bottles of spirits that can fit inside backpacks.

They would target different towns all over the country and Northern Ireland on the same date, she explained.

Chief Supt. Magner pointed out that these criminals entered shops in the evening time when staff levels are lower.

She revealed there was a breakthrough in An Garda Síochána’s investigation into the gang on February 20 when two suspects were stopped driving a silver BMW in Newry, county Down and found in possession of a substantial amount of stolen property from TK Maxx. They had been in Belfast and were returning to Dublin.

Chief Supt. Magner said the two suspects were arrested and brought to court and are currently in custody.

A search of a house in Dublin the following day resulted in the recovery of a Hyundai 130 vehicle, €7,000 in cash, stolen North Face clothing and foil lined bags.

Chief Supt. Magner said investigations into the OCG are ongoing.