Bank customers targeted by thieves

Gardaí have issued a warning after customers who withdrew large sums of money from their bank, had the money stolen from their vehicles.
A customer went into a bank in Ballyshannon and withdrew a significant amount of money. The person had been in a separate premises earlier and gardaí suspect the customer may have been targeted and followed.
The person told gardaí that when they returned to their vehicle after work the money was missing.
A similar incident was reported in Letterkenny. A customer went into a local bank and withdrew a large sum of cash and went to their car. They left the money in the car and when they returned to their car, it had been broken into and the cash taken.
The Crime Prevention Officer for Donegal, Garda Sergeant Paul Wallace, said that people who go into banks to withdraw large sums of money should call in advance and organise their business.
“Carrying out business within earshot of customers on the bank floor can alert criminals to your business,” he warned.
He urged customers, where possible, to get bank drafts rather than leave banks with a large sum of cash. Sergeant Wallace also urged people to be extra vigilant and to go straight to their cars with large sums of cash, ensure they have no further errands to carry out and to store the money securely.