Three burglaries inside 24 hours in Crossgar

Three burglaries inside 24 hours in Crossgar

25 January 2012 - by DAVID TELFORD

BURGLARS struck three times in 24 hours last week at business premises in Crossgar.

A Chinese restaurant in Downpatrick Street was targeted twice, while burglars also smashed their way into a butcher’s shop at nearby Kilmore Road.

The Golden Village Chinese takeaway was targeted during the early hours of last Wednesday morning when burglars forced their way into the building before making off with a sum of cash.

Less than 24 hours later, the same premises were targeted again. It is understood that two people, who made off empty handed, were filmed on CCTV.

A short time later, Wilson’s Butchers at Kilmore Road was broken into and a small sum of cash stolen.

Rowallane councillor Terry Andrews has condemned what happened and revealed a Mitsubishi Shogun was also stolen during the early hours of last Wednesday morning from the Tullyveery Road near Shrigley.

The local politician said he does not know if all three incidents in Crossgar are linked, but believes the some burglars may well be responsible for targeting the Chinese takeaway.

“It’s my understanding that one of the burglars who entered the takeaway was wearing a balaclava while the other had a hood pulled over his head,” said Councillor Andrews.

“At a time when many business owners are finding things tough, the last thing they need is to have their premises targeted by burglars. The damage caused to the takeaway and butcher’s shop had to be repaired with the cost met by the respective owners.”

Councillor Andrews has suggested that perhaps “local people with local knowledge” were responsible for the burglaries and hopes the culprits will be caught.

He has also appealed to anyone who knows anything about any of last week’s incident to contact the police to assist detectives with their enquiries.

“These particular businesses in Crossgar provide a vital community service and play a key part in the village’s economy. They should not have been targeted.”

He added: “The people responsible for breaking into business premises and stealing what they cam need to be hauled before the courts.

“Police need evidence to bring about convictions and I hope anyone who can help them trace who was responsible for the spate of burglaries in Crossgar will come forward.”