Gardaí in Clones are appealing for information after thieves cleared out a garage at a home on the outskirts of the town earlier this week. The break-in happened during the night of Monday 19 October into Tuesday 20 October in the Cumer Bridge area of Clones, Northern Sound reported.
What was taken in Clones
The burglars took garden machinery and tools from the garage of the residential property. According to Northern Sound, the stolen items were:
- a Stihl ride-on lawnmower
- a Stihl backpack leaf blower
- a Stihl hedge trimmer
- a Loncin 8kV petrol generator
- a Honda GX390 petrol power washer with a 100ft hose
- a Husqvarna chainsaw, model given as XP560
Several of these are large, distinctive pieces of equipment, and a ride-on mower in particular is not something that can be carried away on foot. Clones Gardaí are investigating and have asked anyone with information that could help their enquiries to contact them. Anyone who is offered any of these items for sale, or who noticed a vehicle or trailer around Cumer Bridge late on Monday night, is likely to be of interest to the investigation.
Rosslea home broken into
A few miles across the border, the PSNI is investigating a separate burglary at a house on the Carnmore Road in the Rosslea area of Co Fermanagh. Detective Sergeant Malone said the home was broken into at some point between Wednesday 30 September and Tuesday 20 October. "The front door of the property had been damaged and a number of items were taken," he said.
Detectives want to hear from anyone who saw anyone suspicious in the area, or who has CCTV, doorbell or other footage that could help. They can contact police on 101, quoting reference 1434 20/10/26, report online through the PSNI's non-emergency reporting form, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. There is nothing in either appeal to suggest the two burglaries are linked.
Keeping tools and homes secure
The PSNI used its appeal to remind householders of some simple steps. D/Sgt Malone advised locking doors and windows when going out, and keeping the front door locked even when at home, as thieves know many are left open. He recommended a working, correctly installed alarm and cameras or doorbell cameras at entry points, and checking doors and windows for weak spots.
"Don't leave garden tools outside, as they could be used to facilitate a burglary, whether it be your house or car," he said, and urged people to get to know their neighbours and keep an eye out for each other, especially when someone is away for a few days.
For rural homes on both sides of the border, the Clones case is a reminder that sheds and garages holding expensive machinery are a target too. Marking tools, recording serial numbers and keeping outbuildings locked and lit can make stolen items harder to sell and easier to trace.
