‘Professional’ gang suspected in €60,000 raid on electronics store

DETECTIVES are investigating if a “professional” burglary mob was behind a €60,000 burglary at a Cork electronic store over the weekend.

A gang smashed into the premises on Opera Lane in the city centre at around 4am on Sunday.

Sources said the raiders were only in the premises for a number of minutes before fleeing the scene with a large amount of electronic devices, including phones and tablets.

It is understood the value of items stolen was in excess of €60,000.

Gardaí are now probing if the gang were responsible for a similar break-in at the same store in recent weeks.

A source said CCTV of the break-in has led gardaí to believe the thugs may be a “professional” burglary gang.

“They were in and out in no time, they smashed into the place and managed to take upwards of €60,000. This appears to be an organised and professional burglary,” the source said.

A similar burglary at the same store was carried out in recent weeks in which a large amount of electronic devices was also stolen.

Search

In a follow-up operation a short time after the break-in, gardaí approached a car near the M8 at Mitchelstown.

A number of men fled the black vehicle, and when gardaí carried out a search of the car they recovered all of the goods that had been stolen.

No arrests have been made to date and the car has been removed for technical and forensic examination.

Gardaí have appealed for information for anyone who was in the area at the time to contact them.

A spokesman said: “Gardaí at Anglesea Street are appealing for information and in particular to anyone who was in the area of Emmet Place, Opera Lane or Patrick Street between 4am to 4.30am to contact them.

“Gardaí are especially anxious to speak to anyone with dash cam or mobile phone footage recoded in that area at thetime.

“They are also appealing to any witnesses in the area of Junction 13 on the M8 South of Mitchelstown at approximately 4.30am.”