GARDAÍ in Limerick have appealed for information after two cars, stolen locally, were subsequently found burned out.
The first car stolen was a black coloured Ford Fiesta hatchback, explained Garda John Finnerty, of Henry Street Garda Station.
“This was stolen outside a house at Corcmore, Clarina, Co Limerick, between 12.05am and 1.43am last Wednesday,12th July. While the thief was at this house, he/she also broke into the second car that belonged to the family – this was a grey Ford Kuga – and the thief stole a wallet from this car,” said Garda Finnerty.
“The thief then drove off in the black Ford Fiesta, which was later found burned out at Bramble Lane in Ennis at 2.30am on the same morning.”
“If you came across this car at any stage between Clarina, Co Limerick, and Bramble Lane in Ennis in the early hours of last Wednesday morning, then we would like to hear from you – please contact the Gardai at Patrickswell Garda Station at 061 355 103.”
Garda Finnerty said the second stolen car, a blue coloured Nissan hatchback, was unlawfully taken from the driveway of a house at Lynwood Park in Ballysimon between 11.20pm on Wednesday July 12 and 9.44am on Thursday July 13.
“The car was later found burned out at Bohereen, Donoughmore, County Limerick at 7.55pm. On this occasion it’s the Gardaí at Henry Street that are investigating and they can be reached at 061 212 400.”
Garda Finnerty said there had been a noticeable spike in car thefts, particularly thefts of second-hand Japanese imports, to be used in joy-riding incidents.
“Thieves are targeting certain cars to steal and to subsequently use for joy riding. Thieves are currently targeting second hand Japanese imports as, unlike in the EU, Japanese cars are not required to fit an immobiliser.
“An immobiliser is an additional security devise on a car that prevents it from starting unless the correct key or key fob is used,” explained Garda Finnerty.
“There has been a noticeable spike in the theft of Mazda Demio models, the Toyota Aqua model, and the Toyota Vitz model, in recent weeks in the Limerick Garda Division.”
“If you are buying a car, ask the car dealer if the car has an immobiliser fitted. If it hasn’t you can get one fitted retrospectively,” Garda Finnerty added.
