The Gardaí at Sligo Garda Station are investigating three separate robberies from service stations in the county, over the course of a three month period.
On the 16th February 2012 at approximately 9.15pm at the Regional Stores garage in Ballinode, two males dressed in dark clothing and wearing balaclava’s entered the shop. One of the raiders was tall and was armed with a hammer, the second raider was armed with what appeared to be a gun and pointed it at a member of staff and demanded money. The raiders retreated and left empty handed. They made their getaway in a dark coloured Honda Accord, registration number 98SO2824. This car was recovered on fire at Fermoyle, Calry. This car was sold, legitimately, to persons using false names and addresses.
The second raid occurred at Collins Filling Station in Rathcormack on Monday, the 27th February. At approximately 8.55pm two masked and armed men entered the petrol pump attendant’s hut on the garage forecourt. One of the raiders was armed with what appeared to be a handgun. They threatened the member of staff and demanded money, they fled the scene with a small amount of cash. They made their getaway in a silver Opel Omega car, registration number 01MO5341 which was subsequently recovered burnt out near Glencar Waterfall. It transpired that this car was also purchased a few days before this incident by persons using a false name and address.
The third raid occurred at Parkes Garage in Ballisodare on Friday, the 16th March 2012 at approximately 9.05pm. A member of staff was working on the forecourt of the garage when a white Honda Civic, registration number 91D30985 pulled up and a male got out of the passenger carrying what appeared to be a sawn off shotgun. He entered the shop and demanded money. The raider pointed the gun at a member of staff who handed over a sum of money. The raiders fled the scene at speed. The vehicle was recovered at 12.30am at Dromiskoble, an attempt had been made to burn this vehicle.
Gardaí appeal for information in relation to these robberies
Gardaí at Sligo Garda Station are investigating Telephone 071 9157000