GARDAÍ believe that thousands of euro worth of MP3 players and other electrical equipment stolen from a retailer in a Cork suburb could be sold on at knock-down prices.
The goods were stolen from Q&A store in Ballincollig early yesterday morning, after thieves smashed plate glass windows at the front of the premises.
The owners were still completing an inventory yesterday, but gardaí believe that the MP3 players, of varying makes, were stolen along with several other valuable items.
A Garda spokesman said they believe the robbers broke into the store sometime about 1.45am.
The Q&A outlet is situated near Tyme Square and is adjacent to one of the town’s two Aldi stores.
Detectives were carrying out a forensic examination of the premises yesterday, in the hope of picking up clues as to the identities of the robbers. They are also carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the area and examining CCTV footage taken from nearby premises.
Gardaí believe it’s likely the raiders used heavy implements to break into the store. It is also likely that more than one person was involved and the thieves might have escaped in a getaway vehicle which was parked nearby.
"The robbery was almost certainly carried out in a matter of a few minutes. We are particularly anxious to hear from anybody who was in that area between 1am and 2am and who might have seen any vehicles or people acting suspiciously," the spokesman said.
MP3 players retail at anywhere between €150 and €400.
"People who are offered these MP3 players or any other electrical equipment at a very reduced price should be suspicious, especially if they are coming from an unusual source," the spokesman said. "If that happens they should immediately report it."
Anybody who witnessed suspicious activity near the Q&A store is asked to contact Ballincollig Garda Station at 021-4871222, or Gurranabraher Garda Station at 021-4946200.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Thursday, September 04, 2008
