Thieves have stolen two cash registers after breaking into a pharmacy in Newtowncunningham last night.
The incident occurred after robbers rammed their jeep into the Healthwise Pharmacy on Main Street at 3.20am on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning.
Significant damage was caused to the shutter, window and door frame.
The ‘smash and grab’ style burglary saw the culprits running into the store, grabbing two tills and driving off. It is believed that they headed across the border. A silver Mercedes jeep has been named as the suspect vehicle.
Local Cllr Paul Canning said this attack has devastated the community.
“The thieves did more wrecking than stealing. When the damage was done, they were away within minutes and absconded across the border.”
“This chemist is a service to our most vulnerable people. The elderly rely on it and people need it for their prescriptions. The locals are devastated,” Cllr Canning said.
Gardaí have sealed off the scene as investigations are carried out. The break-in occurred 100m from the local Garda station, which was thought to be unmanned at the time.
Gardaí have been on patrol in the area following a series of incidents and alerts over cross-border crime.
Suspect vehicles have been noted in residential areas, while a break-in was reported at a yard at Nixon’s Corner last week.
Cllr Canning said that more garda resources are required to monitor the local area.
He said: “It has been highlighted in this area many times that there are vehicles out scouting. It is the time of year when people have their guard down – people are on holidays, regular staff are off work, and businesses are more vulnerable.
“There is a need to be more vigilant and to try and prevent this occurring again.”
Anyone with information on this latest break-in is asked to to contact Buncrana Garda Station on 074 9320540.
