Eight homes hit in spate of burglaries

Navan Gardai are investigating a spate of burglaries yesterday where cash and jewellery were taken.

A total of eight burglaries were carried out on homes in Johnstown, Hayestown, Wilkinstown and Castletown between 11am and 3pm/4pm on Thursday, 9th May.

The culprits were travelling in a high powered black Audi A4 and changed the number plates a number of times during the day.

The first two break-ins were reported in the Johnstown area- one at Carne Hill and one at Oldtown. From there, the suspects made their way to Hayestown where another home as broken into. A total of four houses were broken into in Wilkinstown and the same gang went to nearby Castletown.

They were disturbed in the house in Castletown at around 2.45pm and two of the suspects took to the fields.

The Garda Air Support Unit was called in and several garda units were also deployed but the suspects were not apprehended.

Witnesses say they had a long bar like a crowbar and in some caes back patio doors were forced and in others windows were prised open.

It is not clear if there were three or four men involved. They had their faces covered with balaclavas or scarves.

In some homes cash and jewellery was taken- in one case they stole a valuable engagement ring. In other cases it appears they left empty handed.

Navan Gardai are investigating and are appealing for witnesses or any information on the burgarlies to contact Navan Garda Station on (046) 9079930 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.