Detectives in Ardmore are investigating a series of burglaries in the Newry area today (Friday).
Reports were received on Friday morning of four burglaries at houses at Ballydogherty Road and Brown Moss Road in Loughgilly, and at Latt Road and Armagh Road in Newry.
It is believed that three males were involved in the burglaries and that they were travelling in a white Volkswagen Scirocco, which has since been located abandoned across the border in the Ravensdale area.
The three males were wearing dark coloured hooded tops, black baseball caps and surgical masks on their faces.
Enquiries are at an early stage and officers are working to determine what has been taken from each location.
Detectives would ask anyone with any information or who saw the white Scirocco being driven in the area on Friday morning to call them at Ardmore on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference number 735 02/07/21, or to submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.
Meanwhile, local Ulster Unionist Alderman Jim Speers has appealed for vigilance.
He told Armagh I : “Over the last number of days within the Armagh, Newtownhamilton and Loughgilly area family homes have been broken into, leaving property damaged and owners devastated.
“I visited a home owner yesterday within the Armagh area that had been targeted. This is scandalous criminal behaviour.
“The PSNI must step up to the plate and give confidence to the local community that such behaviour won’t be tolerated.
“I’m calling on the local community to be extremely vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the PSNI.”