Gardai investigate spate of thefts from 'unlocked' cars in Limerick

GARDAI are appealing to motorists to ensure their cars are properly locked and secure when they are parked.

It follows a spate of theft incidents at a number of locations in Limerick city.

"People living in the North Circular Road, Clareview and the South Circular Road areas reported thefts from their vehicles to gardai in the last number of weeks," said Sergeant Ber Leetch.

"In one incident, a woman in her thirties parked her car in the North Circular Road area. She subsequently discovered that her driver’s licence, Revolut card, some cash and an All for One gift card were taken from her unlocked car," she added.

In another incident which has been highlighted, a woman in her mid-twenties parked her car in the Clareview area. She later  reported to gardai that her purse was stolen from her car overnight. The purse was subsequently located in a neighbour's garden but the bankcard was gone.

According to gardai, the woman had forgotten to lock her car.

In a third incident, a woman in her mid-twenties reported that when she returned to her car in the South Circular Road area, she discovered that a laptop and laptop bag, a bluetooth transmitter, her purse with €40 cash in it, two bank cards and a number of identity cards were missing.

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Sergeant Leetch says the incidents should act as a wake-up-call.

"People may believe that they have nothing of value in their cars or that they did in fact lock their cars or they believe that they are parked in a safe area. Gardai know that criminals travel throughout housing estates across Limerick city and county checking for unlocked cars.

"Do not give a criminal the chance to steal from you, lock your car and check that it is locked by pulling the car door handle no matter where you park it."