Crime & Law

Three men arrested in Republic following ‘keyless car’ theft in Armagh

Homeowner saw a man with a large backpack on her driveway, and realised her vehicle was missing

epa07261133 (FILE) - Northern Ireland's PSNI crest outside Antrim police station in Antrim, Northern Ireland, 02 May 2014 (reissued 04 January 2019). British media reports on 04 January 2019 state Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI has asked up to 1,000 officers to be deployed in Northern Ireland as a reinforcement in case of a no-deal Brexit. Authorities fear violence could occur if a hard border will be established between EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland. EPA/PAUL MCERLANE
PSNI detectives said earlier they were keen to raise awareness among keyless car owners around vehicle safety. Photograph: Paul McErlane
Colin Gleeson
Wed Mar 20 2024 - 17:57

Gardaí have arrested three men in the Republic following a “keyless car theft” in Co Armagh in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

In a statement on Wednesday, a detective inspector with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said officers received a report at about 4.15am that a black BMW X5 Sport had been stolen from the driveway of a house in the Limestone Square area of the city.

The homeowner saw a man dressed in dark clothing with a large backpack on her driveway, and realised her vehicle was missing just before the man made off on foot. The owner still had both sets of keys to the vehicle in her possession.

Detectives subsequently received information from a member of the public that a vehicle matching the description of the stolen car had been seen at an address in the Republic.

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Following a joint operation between the PSNI and the Garda, three men, aged 40, 39 and 67, were arrested by gardaí on suspicion of possession of stolen property. A number of items were seized and taken away for examination. The men remain in custody in the Republic.

PSNI detectives said earlier they were keen to raise awareness among keyless car owners around vehicle safety.

Keyless car systems allow drivers to unlock car doors without handling the key. A sensor in the car detects when the fob is nearby and unlocks the doors. The engine is started by way of a button on the inside of the car.

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Colin Gleeson

Colin Gleeson

Colin Gleeson is an Irish Times reporter