Thieves get more than they bargained for in Sligo shop
TWO men who robbed a shop owner of three iphones got more than they bargained for when she chased after them and caught them.
The two men had gone into Elaine Mulligan’s Jingle Gangle shop on Wine Street and after a series of distractions made off with three iphones, one of which had been handed into the store for repairs.
The other two had just arrived by courier and were brand new, destined for customers.
Elaine says that as soon as she noticed the phones, valued at €450 each, were gone she knew the men had taken them.
By then they had walked out of the store but Elaine wasn’t prepared to let them get away with it and ran off after them along Wine Street.
The men had got into a car which they had parked on the street nearby and had pulled off into traffic.
As Elaine gave chase she had shouted at Dale Barber who runs the Swagman Bar on Wine Street what was happening and he also joined in.
The thieves had pulled off into traffic but Dale and Elaine opened the doors.
“I just pulled the keys from the ignition and rang the Gardaí,” said Elaine, who has been operating her business on Wine Street for the past three years.
She had moments earlier grabbed hold of one of the men but he had managed to wriggle free.
The men had come into her shop which sells phones and phone accessories along with DVDS at about 2.45pm last Monday week.
“The new iphones had just been delivered by the courier and the men came in just shortly afterwards which makes me think they were watching for this,” said Elaine.
One of the men began taking out a wad of cash and was asking about buying a Playstation in the window display.
He began asking about a cable for it along with a second controller.
Elaine turned her back momentarily to check when the man stole the two phones which were on the counter underneath the envelope that had been just been delivered in by the courier.
When Elaine turned back she saw one man had left and the other denied he knew anything about the missing phones when questioned. He too then left the store but Elaine immediately took off running after them.
The thieves escape was foiled when the keys were taken from the ignition and were left sitting in traffic until the Gardaí arrived soon afterwards and arrested both men.
The stolen iphones were found on the floor of the car on the passenger side. including the one which had been in for repair and would have been valued at about €300.
And, Elaine has no regrets giving chase to the two men.
“Not at all. I’d do it again in the morning if I had to.
“I was just deterimined they weren’t going to get away with robbing me.
“Afraid of what might have happened never crossed my mind.
“Just adrenaline kicks in I suppose,” she said. She added that unfortunately thefts like this were common place for retailers in Sligo.
“Some shops are hit harder that others,” she said.
“I have everything in locked cabinets and I’ve also an excellent CCTV system in place and the whole incident was captured,” said Elaine who has posted the footage on her own Facebook page.