Concerns that a “new type of car crime” might emerge in Tyrone and Donegal have been raised after a stolen car was found stripped of its parts.
An incident that police described as a “well-planned and organised theft” saw a white Audi Q7 stolen from a home in Strabane abandoned on a forest road in Co Donegal.
Sinn Féin councillor Gary Doherty said he had not been aware of other incidents like this in the area.
“It is however, very concerning for residents in both Donegal and Tyrone who will now be fearful for their own vehicles and that this may be the beginnings of a new type of car crime in this area,” he said.
He called for extra Garda resources in the area to prevent opportunities for “would-be criminals to evade capture by crossing jurisdictions”.
The car was found on a forest road 18 miles away from Strabane near Ballybofey without its engine, wheels, doors, bonnet and boot.
The police were made aware of a burglary from a house in Bracken Gate in Strabane between 12:30am and 1am on March 24, when the keys to the car were stolen.
Working with An Garda Síochána, the vehicle (registration DQ7 0BZO), was then found by over the border near Lough Hill Bog.
PSNI Detective Sergeant Gingell described it as a “well-planned and organised theft”.
“High value vehicles are lucrative for criminals where parts can be sold on for large sums,” he said.
He called for “anyone who is offered parts for sale, similar to those stripped from the Audi” to contact police.
