Three-man gang rips phone out of wall during burglary in quiet NI village

Police are hunting for three men who stole cash from two elderly residents during a burglary last night.
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Detectives are appealing for information after a house in Charlestown village between Lurgan and Portadown was ransacked.

Detective Sergeant Dave Stewart said: “At around 9.30pm last night (Monday 15th February 2021), it was reported that three men gained access to a property.

“They pulled the phone out of the wall and one man ordered the resident to stay in the living room, while the others ransacked the house. The intruders stole a sum of money.

Police are appealing for information.Police are appealing for information.
Police are appealing for information.

“No one was injured during the incident.

“We would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 111 06/02/21. A report can also be made online using our 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/”

SDLP Cllr Declan McAlinden said: “I want to condemn unreservedly the burglary of the home of two elderly residents in the Bannfoot area of Charlestown outside Derrytrasna.

“Preying on the elderly and vulnerable at anytime is despicable but at night when they are settling down for bedtime is the lowest of lows.

“I would urge everyone to lookout for their neighbours especially in rural areas and check in on them or give them a call.

“Also, I would call on the online companies (Amazon/Prime etc) to supply their delivery teams with signs for their vehicles so people can identify them while they are out delivering and also to put a time limit on when to stop deliveries.

“Over this last year through Lockdown most of or rural roads have been busy with delivery vans.

“Indeed, I’m getting numerous calls on a weekly basis about suspicious vehicles in my own area and, to give the neighbourhood some reassurance a sign on their delivery vehicles would be a small step and cost given the vast amounts of money they are making.

“Finally I’d like to thank the PSNI for their quick response and pass on my thoughts to the family concerned.”

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