crimewave | 

Gardaí believe same suspect may be behind three Dublin armed robberies in six days

It is being investigated whether the suspect has been on a “one man crimewave”

Yesterday at 20:54

Gardaí are investigating if the same suspect is responsible for three armed robberies in a north Co Dublin town in the space of just six days.

The man has still not been arrested but in the latest incident a sum of around €800 was stolen during a raid at a well-known bookmakers in Swords yesterday morning when a staff member when the premises was being opened.

It is understood that the cash was stolen from a safe after a staff member was threatened with a knife and the culprit fled on foot.

“Gardaí are investigating the robbery of a bookmakers in Swords Co. Dublin yesterday morning, Sunday 17th December 2023,” a garda spokeswoman said when contacted.

“A male armed with a bladed weapon entered the premises and demanded money from staff.

“The male fled the scene with a sum of cash. No persons were injured.

“Investigations are ongoing,” she added.

It is being investigated whether the suspect has been on a “one man crimewave” but gardaí were unable to give a description of the man tonight.

He is also suspected of entering a supermarket in the River Valley area of the town on Friday where he threatened a member of staff with a knife and moved it towards the staff member’s waist.

However a panic alarm was activated in the supermarket and the suspect escaped without any cash.

Last Monday, the same man is believed to have also escaped empty handed when he stormed a shop in the Applewood area of the town armed with a hammer and began threatening staff.

“If it is the same individual he is obviously desperate for cash but he has not been overly successful so far,” a senior source said.

“This kind of crime is more prevalent at this time of year than any other. There is plenty of it going on but there is not so much cash in circulation these times as people are increasingly using cards and electronic payments rather than cash,” the source added.

In a completely separate case, gardaí are appealing for information in relation to an armed robbery at a retail premises in Derrinturn, Co.Kildare earlier this Monday morning.

“At approximately 6.35am, a male entered the premises and demanded money from the till. A sum of cash was taken,” a garda spokesman said.

“The male was armed with a long bladed weapon and a firearm.

“The male is described as tall, and of stocky build. He was wearing Dark/Black tracksuit bottoms, Dark Grey Tracksuit Sweater, Black Runners and a Khaki Green Balaclava.

“The male was carrying over his shoulder, a black shoulder bag with white pattern.

“No persons were injured.

“Investigating Gardaí in Lexlip Garda Station are appealing to any person who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them,” he explained.

Last week, gardaí revealed that retail theft cost the economy €1.6bn last year, with “tourist thieves” among the organised gangs who are targeting shops and businesses.

With 29,000 reports of retail theft this year – an increase of 14pc on last year – gardaí launched an operation to coordinate policing and disrupt criminal gangs.

“Operation Táirge” will use an intelligence-led approach to identify crime hot-spots as well as trends in the type of goods targeted by gangs, gardaí said.