Gardaí in Co Wexford are tracking a "professional" criminal gang who cut phone lines and immobilised alarm systems during raids on three New Ross business premises last Saturday night.
The gang used angle grinders, sledge hammers and cutting equipment to remove locks and sever telephone lines during raids at the Campus Oil, Goulding Fertilisers and Minch Sales Limited's premises.
The raids in Marshmeadows and neighbouring Strokestown are believed to have occurred between 11 p.m. and midnight with the gang cutting gate locks, kicking in doors and generally wrecking offices.
In all but one of the instances, the thieves left empty-handed. However, they did succeed in stealing one safe containing a small amount of cash. The safe was later found in a field in Ballinteskin, off the Campile road outside New Ross. Cutting equipment had been used to open it.
"We believe the same gang is responsible for the three raids as the same modus operandi was used in all three incidents which occurred shortly before midnight in neighbouring premises," a Garda spokesman said.
"A lot of damage was caused to the premises and the culprits seem to be a professional gang."
New Ross gardaí are appealing for information from people who may have travelled on the Campile road on Saturday night or early Sunday morning.
They are particularly seeking information about a dark sports car, with a rear spoiler, which was seen in the area around the time of the raids.