Digger used to rip cash machine from wall in Dungannon

Q Newsdesk

A suspected stolen digger has been set alight after being used to rip a cash machine from a wall in Dungannon.

It happened at a petrol station on the Ballygawley Road shortly after 4 this morning.

Police say the building was left substantially damaged.

It's the latest in a string of ATM thefts across the province in recent months.

Detective Inspector Trevor Stevenson said:

“Thieves used a digger to remove the ‘built in’ cash machine from a filling station on the Ballygawley Road at around 4:15am causing substantial damage to the building. 

“We believe the digger was stolen from a business a short distance away, which caused damage. The digger was set alight at the scene immediately after the theft. 

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area between 4am and 4:15am and saw what happened, or who has information which could assist our investigation to call us. 

"In particular, I am appealing to anyone who saw a jeep-type vehicle towing a trailer in the Gortlenaghan Road/Ballygawley Road areas around these times to get in touch with detectives in Omagh CID by calling 101, quoting reference 340 of 10/03/19."

Alternatively information can also be provided by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.