Over £15,000 of used mobile phones stolen

Situated at 6-10 Antrim Street in the city centre, the Lisburn shop is one of 11 stores currently trading in Northern Ireland.

The popular chain sells second-hand technology including mobile phones, video games and computing equipment.

Gema Watters (24), manager of the Lisburn store, told the Ulster Star the break-in “resulted in the loss of a large quantity of high-end iPhone and Android handsets.”

“The investigation is ongoing and we are hopeful that whoever is responsible will not get away with the damage to the store and the financial loss,” she said.

“All stock is recorded by serial and IMEI numbers and can be tracked,”

It is estimated the stolen stock amounts to over £15,000.

Sam Millen, Head of Loss Prevention and Health and Safety, confirmed the burglary took place this week.

Police in Lisburn who are investigating the incident are appealing for information from the public.

Chief Inspector John Wilson of Lisburn PSNI said: “Officers responded to a call from a member of staff at premises on Antrim Street.

“On arrival it was discovered that entry had been gained and a substantial amount of used mobile phones, worth thousands of pounds, had been taken.”

The police would like to speak to anyone who was in Antrim Street, in particular cab drivers or delivery drivers who would be on the road in the early hours of the morning.

“A substantial number of items were taken in this burglary and we want to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area,” Mr Wilson added.

“We would also appeal to the public to be wary of anyone offering to sell them a mobile phone under suspicious circumstances.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lisburn police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Councillor Jonathan Craig said he was disappointed that Lisburn businesses were being targetted in this way.

“It is terrible that there was such an amount stolen,” he said.

“This is a despicable act at a time while businesses are still recovering from a major recession. Businesses like these have kept jobs going in extremely tough times. It is disappointing not only for this business but the entire business community in Lisburn and I would like to assure them that the police are everything within our power to bring the thieves to justice.”