THIEVES have taken advantage of those visiting graves and attending mass in the suburbs by stealing valuables from unattended cars.
On Friday, August 24, the passenger window of a blue Opel Vectra parked at the old Cemetery in Mungret, was smashed at around 3.20pm and a grey Guess handbag was stolen from the front seat. The bag contained a grey Guess purse and a sum of cash in euros and dollars.
The following day a second theft took place at the cemetery when the passenger window of a black Ford Focus was smashed at around 12.50pm.
A black Samsung mobile phone was taken.
Patrickswell gardaí are investigating.
In a further incident of theft, a Hyundai Jeep was parked outside St. Paul’s Church in Dooradoyle at 10.30am on Sunday, August 26, when the driver and passenger windows were smashed.
The owner had been at mass and returned to find a multicoloured Cath Kidston baby changing bag had been stolen.
“Graveyards, churches and undertakers are frequently targeted by criminals who take advantage of the fact that people do not want to bring their mobile phones with them,” said crime prevention officer, Sgt Brian Broderick.
“I would urge the public not to leave phones, handbags and other items in parked cars while going to mass, visiting graves or funeral homes.
“Mobile phones can be switched off or put on silent and all property should be brought with you, even in cases where the visit is expected to be short.
“It only takes seconds for a criminal to smash a window and steal property from your car”.
