Gardaí suspect export gang in theft of BMW airbags

GARDAÍ believe a highly professional gang may be exporting airbags stolen from expensive 5-series BMWs.

A senior garda said that in the last couple of weeks a number of such cars had been targeted by the gang operating in parts of Co Cork.

The gang struck again yesterday morning in Glounthaune in what gardaí described “as a very professional job”.

They broke into three 5-series BMWs, none of which was more than three years old.

“They popped the locks and disabled the alarms on two of the vehicles. They then removed the airbags from the steering wheels. It was a very neat and highly professional job,” a garda spokesman said.

Gardaí from Glanmire carried out a forensic examination on the vehicles in an effort to find clues to the identity of the gang.

They believe that all three cars were broken into between 12.30am and 2am yesterday.

Meanwhile, gardaí in north Cork believe the same gang also targeted two BMW 5-series sports cars in the village of Castletownroche on August 6 last.

“They also went after the airbags on the steering wheel and did a very neat job,” a Garda spokesman in nearby Fermoy said.

He said both cars were broken into around 3am.

The previous night. thieves targeted a 3-series BMW in Duntaheen, Fermoy.

Senior gardaí investigating the thefts suspect the gang may be stealing the airbags for resale overseas.

“They could be exporting them to put into crashed cars which are being done up abroad. But we haven’t ruled out the possibility that they could also be giving them to people who are doing up crashed BMWs here,” a spokesman said.

He said that BMW owners should keep a close eye on their vehicles and call their nearest Garda station immediately if they notice anybody trying to break into them.

The cost of replacing each BMW airbag is over €1,000.

“We are very anxious to catch this gang as soon as possible so we can stop these thefts and we would appreciate any help the public can give us,” the spokesman said.

Gardaí investigating the thefts are appealing for anybody with information to contact Fermoy Gardaí Station at 025-82100, or Glanmire Garda Station at 021-4821002.