Vigilance urged as Limerick gardai issue warning over 'distraction' thefts

GARDAI are urging members of the public to be vigilant following a number of recent 'distraction thefts' in Limerick.

In one incident on Friday last, a woman in her early forties from had finished her grocery shopping in a city centre supermarket and walking back to her car at around 11.30am.

"A female approached her and asked her for money, the woman gave her some and then continued to her car to load her groceries. The female who had received the money insisted on helping the woman put her groceries into the car. A short while later the woman discovered that her purse was gone," said divisional crime prevention officer Sergeant Ber Leetch.

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In a second incident, later on the same day, a man, aged in his early seventies, was waiting for his bus when a female began chatting to him.

"He placed his laptop bag on the ground behind him. The female left and when the man looked for his bag, it was gone. He did not notice anybody behind him as he was chatting and not paying attention. The bag and laptop are valued at over €1,700 but even more annoying is that his passport and important work documents were also taken along with a sum of cash," said Sgt Leetch.

The garda advice is to remember how quick thieves can act and to stay vigilant and to protect yourself and your property at all times.

Investigations into both incidents are continue.