Gardai are on the hunt for a professional crime group who have been stealing expensive cars to export in North Dublin.
Seaside village Portmarnock has been rocked by a series of burglaries over the past ten days as a number of break-ins and car thefts have been reported.
This week, a BMW was taken from a driveway on Strandmill Avenue after thieves broke into the house and took the keys.
Lauren Hughes O'Brien has sent a plea to everyone keep an eye out for the car as gardai hunt the thieves who are believed to have taken at least one other vehicle from the area.
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She said: "People broke into our home last night between 2am and 5:30am taking the keys of our BMW 520 MSPORT 08-D-58515. They took the keys to my Dad's van as well as his wallet .We are located in Portmarnock Co.Dublin."
The BMW was taken on Wednesday morning while gardia are also investigating a spate of house burglaries in Strandmill Park last week.
A spokesperson told Dublin Live: "Gardaí are investigating a burglary that occurred at a house in Strandmill pk Portmarnock on the 9th May 2019.
"Property and a car was stolen. No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing."
A hair salon on the Strand Road was also hit on the same night forcing it to close for the day.
Staff in Cuts N'Colours were left devastated after two men ransacked the salon before fleeing when gardai arrived.
They've urged anyone with information to contact Malahide Garda Station saying: "The salon was broken into by two males who fled the scene when Gardaí approached. Please contact Malahide garda station if you have any information. Apologies for any inconvenience caused to clients."
Gardai confirmed they are still on the hunt for the men while local Labour Councillor Brian McDonagh has called on everyone to be extra vigilant.
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The Strandmill resident warned that the car thieves may be professionals who are looking to export to export them
He told Dublin Live: "This is not the first time there have been spates of robberies over the years.
"They're targeting new cars and going into houses to get the keys.
"They used to previously fish through the letterboxes, and now they're breaking in which is worrying.
"We've called for targeted action against these groups. We need to try ensure guards grab gangs doing it.
"These aren't amateurs, these are criminals going for specific types of cars and people are frightened.
"Every time it happens we go to gardai. We need to make sure our houses are secure.
"People need to be aware, guards are having some success.
"This is 'steal to order' and we need to target who and where they are exporting from.
"The business model needs to be made unsustainable."
