Vehicle use by botched burglary suspect found

PSNI not ruling out theft link to earlier burglaries

A vehicle stolen from rural Fermanagh in the aftermath of a dramatic attempted burglary and stand-off in Newtownbutler yesterday has been recovered after it was abandoned in Co Armagh.

PSNI detectives in Enniskillen confirmed that the car was located abandoned in Newtownhamilton on Wednesday morning, November 11, following an “extensive search”.

The vehicle had been stolen from outside an address in the Wattlebridge Road area of Newtownbutler at approximately 8.15am.

Two male suspects are believed to have been involved in the theft. One has been described by police as being of slim to medium build, with short dark hair and stubble, and wearing green workwear trousers.

“Officers were quickly deployed and following an extensive search, the vehicle was located abandoned in Newtownhamilton. The vehicle has since been recovered and is undergoing a forensic examination,” said a PSNI statement.

The development comes as detectives investigate a possible connection between the theft and a series of burglaries and attempted burglaries across south Fermanagh in recent days.

It is understood that Gardaí in Cavan and Monaghan were contacted following this morning's vehicle theft, and were assisting with units deployed along the border corridor after the stolen vehicle was driven off in the direction of Clones.

Investigators acknowledged that the theft may be linked to one of the individuals who fled following Tuesday afternoon's dramatic confrontation at a property in the Church Lane housing estate in Newtownbutler.

Two men and a young female were involved in the incident, during which alleged intruders were confronted by members of the public after reportedly entering a property through a rear door.

A white BMW 1 Series, believed to be connected to the incident, was subsequently seized by police after locals prevented it from leaving the estate by blocking it in with a van. It is too is now undergoing forensic examination.

Detectives are continuing to examine possible links between the Church Lane incident and earlier reported burglaries in the Camphill Park and Landbrock Road areas of Newtownbutler, as well as an attempted break-in in the Knocks Road area of Lisnaskea.

In a statement, the PSNI said enquiries into Wednesday morning's vehicle theft “remain ongoing” and detectives are “not ruling” out a connection with the recent burglaries.

“Enquiries remain ongoing, and detectives are not ruling out the possibility this theft may be linked to the recent burglaries in the Newtownbutler and Lisnaskea areas recently.”

Police meanwhile are appealing to anyone who witnessed suspicious activity around Wattlebridge Road or who may have information about the vehicle's movements to come forward.

Anyone who can assist is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 196 of 11/11/26.

Information can also be submitted online through the PSNI's non-emergency reporting service.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through www.crimestoppers-uk.org.