Police probe links in town break-ins

POLICE are trying to establish if there was a link to three breakins which happened on the same day - last Friday - in Ballymoney.

There was an attempted theft after a window was smashed at The Forge apartments in Edward Street and at Taggart's on Main Street a rear window was smashed and three tins of paint stolen.

A kitchen window was broken at Dalriada School but police say there were no reports of anything being taken.

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Sergeant Clive Elliott of Ballymoney PSNI said there was no disruption caused at the school.

He said police are trying to see if the three incidents are linked.

And with the spring weather here, police have urged the public to take care so that items like strimmers do not fall into the hands of thieves.

That came after opportunist thieves stole a leaf blower which was taken out for use and had been left at the driveway of a house at Fivey Road near Stranocum. Equipment was also stolen in Rasharkin.

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There were three incidents on Thursday as well. Premises at Edward Street were entered through a garage window and items stolen included a computer printer, 22-inch colour tv and an electric fire.

A copper water tank and piping was stolen from a house which has been vacant at Frocess Road near Ballymoney for a month but which was last checked on March 3.

At Fivey Road near Stranocum two occupants of a red Corsa car pulled up and stole the leaf blower which was left near a house.

On Saturday, at Tamlaght Road, Rasharkin, a household garage was broken into through a window. A Husqvarna hedge trimmer, orange in colour, was taken along with a red and black coloured Ecko strimmer.

The two items have a combined value of 600.

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Sergeant Elliott told the Times: "People are starting to bring out gardening equipment at this time of the year. But when they are using it they should make sure if they take a break and go into the house that they either bring the equipment into the house or make it secure or be aware of where it is as there are opportunist thieves about.

"And property in sheds should be secure too," he added.

Police are investigating all the incidents and can be contacted on 08456008000 or the Crimestoppers freephone confidential number on 0800555111.

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