ATM thefts in Moira and Antrim could be linked, say police

Q Newsdesk

The recent theft of 3 ATMS from Moira and Antrim has raised concerns among Northern Ireland's retail community.

Early this morning a digger was used to remove a cash machine from a filling station on the Glenavy Road.

In a similar incident yesterday - two ATMs were taken from an Asda store - on the Ballymena Road.

Retail NI's Chief Executive Glynn Roberts wants to meet with the PSNI in the coming days to discuss the issue.

He's outlined his concerns to Q Radio:

Detectives investigating an ATM theft from a filling station at Glenavy Road, Moira this morning. A digger, taken from a nearby site was used before being set alight. The roof of the garage was also alight. Police believe incident may be linked to ATM theft in Antrim on Thursday

— PSNI (@PoliceServiceNI) 2 February 2019

Detective Constable Martin said:

“Shortly after 3:05am, it was reported that a number of males using a digger removed an ATM machine from a filling station in the area. The digger, which is believed to have been taken from a nearby location close to the property was set alight following the incident. The roof of the garage was also set alight, as colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service attended the scene and extinguished the fire. Both the digger and the roof of the garage were extensively damaged.

“Enquiries are continuing and we are investigating a possible link between this incident and an ATM theft from the Ballymena Road, Antrim on Friday 31^st January.