This is the moment one would-be thief tried to break into two cars in the Banbridge area overnight.
While this homeowner was fortunate, others in the area were not so much.
Sergeant Dempster said: “Officers received information from colleagues from An Garda Siochana that a man, aged in his 20s, had been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, after he was stopped in the Republic of Ireland.
“Police Service officers conducted follow-up enquiries, and received two reports yesterday, Sunday, April 14, relating to thefts from cars parked outside houses in the Brookdale area of Banbridge.
“Items including a wallet containing cash and a driving license, a Walkman, and car keys were reported to have been stolen from one vehicle.
“A laptop, a leather satchel, and a number of mobile phones were also reported to have been stolen from another vehicle parked outside a house in the same area.
“The arrested male remains in custody in the Republic of Ireland at this time, assisting with enquiries.”
Alderman Glenn Barr described Sunday night’s thieving as a “distressing turn of events”.
“Residents of Banbridge found themselves targeted by a group of thieves in the stillness of the night,” said the Ulster Unionist councillor.
“The thieves, taking advantage of unlocked cars, brazenly pillaged belongings from unsuspecting residents, leaving a trail of unease and concern in their wake.
“The incident, which occurred overnight, sent shockwaves through the community as reports of stolen property began to surface.
“However, swift action by law enforcement authorities on both sides of the border resulted in the apprehension of the perpetrators in the Republic of Ireland.
“Local authorities, working in tandem with their counterparts across jurisdictions, deployed resources to swiftly address the situation. Through coordinated efforts and vigilant monitoring, the culprits were caught, providing a sense of relief and reassurance to the affected residents of Banbridge.
“We are deeply troubled by the recent incidents targeting our community,” Alderman Barr added.
“However, I am immensely grateful for the collaborative efforts that led to the apprehension of the perpetrators.
Alderman Barr has urged residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to safeguard their property. Simple measures such as locking car doors and securing valuables can significantly reduce the risk of opportunistic crimes.
Sergeant Dempster added: “This investigation displays our commitment to our shared objective to keep people safe through collaborative partnership working, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland will continue to work together with our partners in An Garda Síochána.
“Anyone who may have any information in relation to these incidents is asked to get in touch with police, and the number to call is 101, quoting reference number 678 of 14/04/24.”
You can also contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111, which gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.
You can also make a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
