'Huge impact on tradespeople': Gardai probe theft of power tools in Limerick suburb
The owner returned to the vehicle to discover the tools had been stolen, and CCTV enquiries are ongoing
LIMERICK gardaí are investigating the theft of a significant number of DeWalt power tools from a work van parked in the Castletroy area.
Garda Stephen Aherne, Community Policing, Henry Street Garda Station commented:
“The owner returned to the vehicle to discover the tools had been stolen, and CCTV enquiries are ongoing. These thefts can have a huge impact on tradespeople. It's not just the value of the tools, but the loss of work and income while replacements are sourced.”
Garda Aherne offered the following advice to local tradespeople: “Always lock sheds, garages, farm buildings and vehicles, even if you're only leaving them unattended for a short time. Remove keys from machinery and vehicles, install good-quality locks, lighting and CCTV where possible, and mark valuable tools and equipment with a unique identifier so they can be identified if recovered.
“For tradespeople, avoid leaving tools in vans overnight whenever possible. If tools must remain in the vehicle, park in a secure, well-lit location, ideally with the rear or side doors against a wall to make access more difficult.
“For farmers and trailer owners, fit hitch locks, wheel clamps or tracking devices and keep trailers out of sight where possible,” said Garda Aherne.
“We'd also ask members of the public not to buy tools or equipment being offered at unusually low prices without knowing their origin. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Buying stolen property helps fuel this type of crime.”
If anyone is offered suspicious tools, trailers or farm equipment for sale, or has information about any of these incidents, please contact their local Garda station or Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. Even what may seem like a small piece of information could be significant to an investigation.