A suspected criminal gang evaded capture in the Roscommon Town area on Thursday evening after initially seeking refuge in fields and then escaping in a car. At one point during the episode a vehicle being used by the gang attempted to ram a Garda patrol car.
The series of incidents began at around 5.40 pm on Thursday when suspicious activity was observed in the Woodview/Hawthorne Drive area of Roscommon Town.
A dark-coloured Volkswagen Golf car with a number or occupants in it was reported to Gardaí. The driver/passengers were said to be acting suspiciously and there were reports that the occupants were wearing balaclavas.
On allegedly attempting to break into a residence, the gang members were disturbed. Within minutes, as Gardaí responded to the report, the driver of the vehicle attempted to ram a Garda vehicle.
The VW Golf then headed off at high speed in the direction of Athlone, but some members of the gang remained on foot. It is understood that they made off through fields in the direction of Creevy. Gardaí conducted a search through the fields and adjoining roads, but without success.
Later on Thursday night/Friday morning, a cattle lorry was stolen from a yard on the main road between Roscommon and Athlone (near Ballymurray).
Meanwhile, Gardaí arrested three people on Friday morning in relation to recent burglaries at private houses and business premises’ in the region.
In relation to the activity of the criminal gang on Thursday evening, Gardaí are appealing for anyone with dashcam footage who was in the Woodview or Hawthorn Drive areas around 5.40 pm on the evening in question to contact Gardaí at Roscommon Garda Station on (090) 663 8300, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. Anyone with information in relation to the theft of the lorry is also asked to contact Gardaí.
