Aggravated Burglary at Tesco, Clane, Co. Kildare on the 11/11/11

The Gardaí at Naas Garda Station are investigating an aggravated burglary that occurred at Tesco on the Dublin Road, Clane, Co. Kildare.

On Friday, the 11th November 2011 at approximately 9.20pm, two staff members were out in the yard at the back of the premises, when two masked raiders jumped a fence and approached them. One of the raiders was armed with a knife and the other raider had a walkie talkie. They threatened the staff members demanding to know where the offices were. They brought the staff members into the storeroom area where the raiders met another two members of staff, who they also threatened. One of the staff members was the duty manager who had the keys to the office, the raiders forced him to open the door and ushered the staff into it, they forced the duty manager to open the safe, one of the raiders filled a sports bag with money, the raiders demanded the duty manager to open another safe but he was unable to do so as it was on a time lock, the raiders specifically asked for the cash pods and loaded them into the bag.

The raider with the walkie talkie used it to communicate that the raider with the bag of money was leaving the office and checked to see if it was clear for him to do so, he also demanded the CCTV hard drive, the duty manager pointed to a computer hard drive and the raider took this. He threatened the staff that he would return in five minutes and not to move or he would kill them, a short time later a member of staff discovered the four staff members on the floor and alerted the Gardaí.

On Friday, the 25th November 2011 at 5.55am a second similar raid occurred at the same Tesco shop as two members of staff were opening up. Two men burst in through the automatic front doors and threatened the staff, they were forced at knife point into the office and forced to supply the key and code to the safe. The raiders emptied the contents of the safe and also removed a grey security box from the safe containing a large quantity of cash. The raiders then tied up the staff with cable ties. One of the raiders used a walkie talkie to communicate with a third raider who was waiting in a car outside. They loaded the boot of the car with the bag of cash, a witness who drove into the carpark observed this and followed them to Barberstown Cross where they turned towards Maynooth. They were driving a 06 Black saloon car.

Appeal:

• The aggravated burglary occurred at 9.20pm on 11th November 2011, the night of the first leg of the Estonia V Ireland soccer match.

• Entry and exit from the premises was via Capdoo Lane, Clane. Did anyone see a vehicle or suspicious activity on this day or on the days prior to the raid?

• CCTV footage captured the aggravated burglary, raiders wore wet clothing and the raider in green wore blue covers on his shoes and used a walkie talkie, both raiders spoke with strong Dublin accents.

• At 10.30pm at Twelfth Lock Newcastle Road, Lucan, a black saloon car stopped on the bridge and passenger got out and discarded a bag. The cash pods taken during the raid were later recovered here.

• The second incident occurred at 5.55am, the raiders walked from a vehicle which pulled up on the Dublin Rd., Clane, they entered the shop via front door.

• The raiders exited the shop via the front door to an awaiting vehicle which had entered the car park , the vehicle is described as black saloon, partial registration number 06D.

• The vehicle was followed by a witness and drove in the direction of Barberstown cross, a third car, unaware of incident merged between these cars at the roundabout, the witness following the raiders overtook this car but lost them, but believes it turned right for Maynooth at Barberstown cross.

• Gardaí believe that the two incidents are linked, and are appealing to anyone who has been approached to exchange a large amount of coins.

• Gardaí would also like to emphasise that stricter security measures were introduced at the shop to insure no reoccurrence.

• Appeal for any witnesses to either crime or disposal of cash pods at the twelfth lock.

Gardaí at Naas Garda Station are investigating Telephone 045 884300