Garda warning after heating oil thefts

Gardai are urging householders to be aware of suspicious activity and suspicous vehicles in their area after two incidents where home heating oil was stolen. One of the thefts occurred at Croboy, Kinnegad, and the other was at Ballyboggan, Clonard, sometime between 22nd and 27th September. Sergeant Gordon Englishby of Trim Garda Station said this is the time of year when people purchase home heating oil and that, in the recession, is it becoming a more popular crime to steal home heating oil. He is urging people to be aware of any suspicious vehicles or vans, particularly at night, which is when the thefts usually occur. An electric or manual pump is used by the thieves and an oil tank can be emptied in five to 10 minutes. Because it would take a number of five gallon drums to take 600-700 litres of oil, a van is most likely being used. Gardai are urging householders to be mindful of any suspicious activity in their area and report any suspicious activity to their local Garda station. Longwood Gardai are investigating two burglaries in their area in the past week. A house at Colehill, Kinnegad, was broken into on Friday 24th September between 10am and 12 midday. A Panasonic camcorder, a portable DVD player, a Sony PSP, an Apple iPod and a leather jacket were taken. The total value of the property stolen was €2,000. A silver Mazda 3 car was sighted in the area at the time and was also spotted acting suspiciously during similar incidents in the Mullingar area.