Two men arrested after parcel theft

Two men arrested after parcel theft

6 January 2021

TWO men were arrested by police following the alleged theft of a parcel from outside a house in Drumaness before Christmas.

In footage shared on social media on Tuesday, December 22, both men denied accusations made by a member of the public that they were following delivery vans and stealing parcels left at properties. 

CCTV footage also posted online showed the two suspects at the Drumaness house earlier in the afternoon.

In the pictures, a man can be seen putting a parcel in a white van. A subsequent photo showed three PSNI officers speaking to one of the males as a number of unopened packages lay on the footpath after the pair were asked to open their van.

Police confirmed that a 36-year old man was arrested on suspicion of theft, while a 63-year old man was arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting theft.

Both men were taken into custody for questioning before later being released on bail pending further enquiries.

In the video, the member of the public questioning the men, accused the older male, who was the van driver, of following a black van to a house and picking up the parcel that was delivered.

When asked which company they were delivering parcels for, both men failed to directly answer the question.

Newry, Mourne and Down SDLP councillor Hugh Gallagher said he has been informed of similar reports of packages being stolen in and around Drumaness.

“Coming up to Christmastime people seem to be following parcel deliverers, hoping they will leave it outside, and they will then simply try and take it. It is a very worrying trend,” he said.

“It has now happened a few times in this area and a few people have said to me that parcels have been taken and couriers have been followed. People just need to be careful.”

Mr Gallagher added he would urge everyone to remain on their guard. “I would encourage everyone to be vigilant. Keep an eye out on things, especially if strange cars are following them around.”

Between January and November last year the PSNI recorded 3,225 residential burglaries in Northern Ireland. Newry Mourne, and Down’s total of 299 was the second highest.