Youth in double robbery

Youth involved in double robbery

Anton McNulty

GARDAÍ are looking for a young male they believe was part of a three-man gang who threatened staff at knifepoint and took cash from garages in Castlebar and Ballyhaunis last Sunday evening.
Two youths were detained by Gardaí after they were apprehended outside Balla following a Garda chase with a red 1989 Peugeot 205. Investigating gardaí confirmed they are linking the two robberies, after the car was confirmed as the vehicle used in both robberies. Two youths were arrested and are helping Gardaí with their enquires. They are also looking for a third youth believed to have taken part in the robberies.
The Ballyhaunis robbery took place just after 6pm at Rochford’s Garage in the town. Three men pulled up to the petrol station in the red Peugeot and approached the young attendant. They threatened the attendant with a long, bladed knife and took some cash, which Gardaí described as ‘not substantial’.
The second robbery, which occurred in Robinson’s Garage on Spencer Street, Castlebar, took place at 9.40pm. The youths entered the filling station with the knife and demanded cash. They made their escape with a sum of cash.
The two youths were arrested at 11.50am outside Balla and were described as not well-known to Gardaí. The two men are aged 20 and 18; one is from Newport and the other is from Ballyhaunis. The third person Gardaí are looking to talk to is believed to be younger than the other two men currently in custody.
Gardaí have asked the public if they saw a small red Peugeot 205, registration number 89 MO 4097, in Ballyhaunis at six o’clock and in Castlebar at ten o’clock or along the route between those times to contact the Gardaí.