Gardaí investigating car thefts in Clonakilty last night.

CLONAKILTY gardai are investigating the theft of two vehicles from an estate in Clonakilty last night, along with a number of incidences of theft from other cars.

A car and a van were taken from the Lady’s Cross estate off the N71 in the town, but gardaí believe that all the vehicles were unlocked at the time.

While two vehicles were removed from the estate, a larger number of vehicles, which were also unlocked, had items taken from them. ‘To the best of our knowledge, no vehicles were damaged,’ said a garda spokesperson in Clonakilty.

‘But every car that was taken, or had items taken from it, was unlocked at the time, it now appears.’ While gardaí are keeping an ‘open mind’ they are also examining the theory that the culprits are part of a group of criminals moving around the county, targeting unlocked vehicles.

A similar incident took place in Dunmanway some weeks ago. Gardaí are currently examining CCTV in the area and are also asking any other homeowners in the area with relevant CCTV footage to contact them. ‘The one message we want to go out from here is that people still need to lock their cars, and leave their keys in a secure area,’ the garda told The Southern Star.