Detectives in Antrim are appealing for witnesses and information after the theft and attempted theft of catalytic converters from the Ballygrooby Park and Ride in Randalstown on Wednesday October 12th.
Detective Constable McGuinness said:
“Police received a report at 6.05pm that a man had been acting suspiciously in the Park and Ride facility. When police attended three vehicles were found to have been damaged and one car had had its catalytic convertor stolen.
“The suspect is described as being in his early 50’s and wearing pink gloves, a blue surgical face mask, yellow coat and black and white track suit bottoms with black and white trainers. He was observed leaving the scene with a power-cutting tool in his hand.
“Catalytic converters are a high value part of a car and this type of crime is leaving car owners with the expense and inconvenience of repairs along with the distress of having their vehicle targeted in this way.
“There are a number of things you can do which may help keep thieves from your vehicle including parking in a well-lit area close to walls or fences, limiting a thief’s access. You can also ask your local garage or mechanic, if your catalytic converter is bolted on, to weld the bolts which would make them more difficult to remove. There are also various devices that can lock around the converter making it more difficult to remove.
“Our investigation is underway and we are appealing for any vehicle owner who may have had their car parked at the facility and who may have dashcam footage which can assist us or who noticed any suspicious behaviour in the carpark to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 1616 12/10/22.”
Alternatively, you can 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