Police believe burglaries in Co Derry town and collision may be connected

The collision took place after police received reports of several burglaries

Police believe a number of burglaries in a town on Saturday may be connected to a car crash later that day.

Police received reports at around 11pm on Saturday, January 17, that a property in the Lackagh Park area of Dungiven, Co Derry, had been broken after a rear window was smashed to gain entry. While at the scene officers saw that another property in the area had been broken into.

An hour later officers received reports of a a bronze Citroen Berlingo van being stolen from the Tracy’s Way area of the town with police believing this incident is connected to a collision at the Magherabuoy Roundabout at 11.30pm. Following the collision the occupants of the vehicle fled the scene before police arrived in a silver Ford Fiesta.

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A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: “Initially, it was reported to officers just before 11:00pm, that a property had been broken into in the Lackagh Park area. “On attendance, it was observed by officers that entry was gained through the rear of the property by smashing a window. A number of items have been stolen during the burglary. “Whilst at the scene, it was discovered by officers that another property in the same vicinity had been broken into and examination is on-going to establish if anything has been taken. “Around an hour later, it was reported that a vehicle, a bronze Citroen Berlingo van, had been stolen from the area of Tracy’s Way. This is believed to be linked to the report of a road traffic collision at around 11:30pm at the Magherabuoy Roundabout. The occupants of the car had made off from the scene prior to police attendance, being transported by a silver Ford Fiesta. “We are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious or may have video footage, CCTV or other to get in contact to 101 quoting reference 1659 17/01/25.”