Gardaí warn public to be vigilant following handbag snatches

Tullamore Gardaí have appealed to the public to be vigilant during the busy shopping season following a number of recent handbag snatches from trolleys in local supermarkets in recent weeks. On Tuesday last a bag containing a sum of money was taken from a trolley as a person was shopping in a store on the Portarlington Road. Following investigation by the Detective Branch in Tullamore a man was arrested in Dublin and was brought to Tullamore Garda Station for questioning. He was detained for a time before being released without charge. A file will now be sent to the DPP in relation to the case. It"s thought a gang could be targetting people as the shop in the run-up to Christmas because of the large amounts of cash that people may carry while shopping for presents or festive items. There have been a number of similar bag snatch incidents over the last few weeks throughout the county. Sergeant Ollie Baker of Tullamore Garda Station appealed to people to be extra careful and mindful while shopping that there are opportunistic thieves ready to take their hard earned cash. Meanwhile, Birr Gardaí issued a warning to the public not to leave property or bags on display in unattended vehicles after a spate of car break ins in the area in recent weeks. One vehicle in Kinnitty, two in Birr and another in Banagher were targetted on November 11 and 12 last during daylight hours as thieves took bags and property. Officers say all the cars were parked in populated areas, one beside a church, another at a hotel and the other at a marina with the side window smashed in each case. Gardaí said they are not following a definite line of inquiry in relation to the incidents but a grey Peugeot car, either a 206 or 306 was witnessed acting suspiciously in the area of the burglaries. A male with a white hoody was also noticed in the vicinity. Officers called on the public to secure their belongings in the boot of their cars and not to leave anything on view in their vehicles even they are locked. 'Opportunists will take advantage if they see anything,' according to Sergeant John Mahon in Birr.