Garda appeal follows surge of car break-ins

Trim Gardai are urging car-owners not to leave valuable possessions on view in their vehicles and not to leave keys in their vehicle, especially at petrol forecourts. The warning comes following a spate of break-ins to vehicles in the Trim area in the past week. Gardai say that, in the past three months, six vehicles have been stolen where people left the keys in them for a moment, either at petrol forecourts or outside their houses. Sergeant Gordon Englishby of Trim Garda Station said cars are getting broken into and are being stolen where people are being careless and either leaving their cars unlocked or leaving valuable possessions in sight. He is particularly urging people not to leave the keys in their vehicle at petrol forecourts and also not to have handbags, wallets and laptops where they can be seen, and instead to lock them in the boot. Sgt Englishby is also asking people going for a walk in a scenic area to be more vigilant with their property and pointed out that such car crimes are difficult to solve. In most cases, people will not get their property back. A total of seven cars were broken into in the Trim district in the past seven days and two vehicles were stolen. A 1998-registered silver Mitsubishi Lancer was stolen from a house in Victorine Abbey, Trim, between 10pm on Saturday and 12.30pm on Sunday. On the same night, also in Victorine Abbey, an attempt was made to steal a Honda Accord. The car was broken into but the attempt to steal it was unsuccessful. The car was broken into between 1am and 11.30am on Sunday. A car was broken into at Killtale GAA Club on 22nd March between 11.30am and 3.05pm where a handbag and mobile phone were stolen. The previous week, a van was stolen from the GAA pitch, while the owner was attending a training session. An attempt was made to steal a Citroen Xsara car at Emmet Street between 1am and 8.30am yesterday (Tuesday). The vehicle was interfered with but nothing was taken. There was also an attempt to steal a black Suburu Impreza car from Bridge View, Kilmessan, overnight between 23rd and 24th March. A vehicle was broken into at the Boyne Dock, Longwood, between 4.45pm and 5.30pm last Wednesday and a handbag, cheques, credit cards and jewellery were stolen. A jeep was broken into at Main Street, Summerhill, between 11.10am and 11.45am on the same day. A briefcase and handbag were stolen from the vehicle. Another car was burgled while the owner was attending Mass at Killyon Church between 10.30am and 11.20am onSunday. A handbag, mobile phone and a small amount of cash were taken from the Toyota Rav 4 jeep. Meanwhile, a 2000-registered blue Nissan Terrano was stolen from outside the Bective Bar at 2pm on Sunday. The vehicle has not yet been recovered.