Police seize stolen lawnmower and strimmer in Ballyarnett

Officers from Ballyarnett Neighbourhood Team recovered it from three youths who were sheltering under a tree from the rain.

The lawnmower had been stolen from a house in Oakbridge Park and the owner told the police he wasn’t going to report it stolen until he was talked into doing so by his wife

PSNI Foyle say on its Facebook page: “Yesterday Ballyarnett Neighbourhood Team on patrol  notice three young lads sitting under a tree taking cover from the rain . They have a nice Mountfield Lawnmower at their feet.

“Now, they could be out on BOB-A-JOB  duties and raising money for their local cub or scout troop, so we don’t pounce immediately.

“However something is not quite right  and a quick radio transmission confirms that a Lawnmower and strimmer have been reported stolen nearby.

As we return we can see the lads  are in a hurry to get on with their chores. They can be seen running  off towards the bottom of the Country Park.

“When we catch up with these fellas they tell us the reason why the Lawnmower and strimmer are now hid behind the bushes is to keep them dry ☡. They also tell us they bought them recently for a good price .

“Our Body Worn Video camera’s are turned on and initial enquiries are made. Having not come up the Foyle in a bubble the items are seized.

“We then conveyed them to the reporting person’s home (Oakbridge Park).

“He is able to prove they are his and is absolutely delighted  to get them back.

“He informs police he was in the process of contacting his insurance company ☎. He goes on to state that he wasn’t even going to report it, thinking to himself “whats the point, there gone”. Luckily his wife  convinced him otherwise.

“There was an element of luck ☘ in this detection and it was a case of right place right time.

“But the moral of the story is give us a chance and report crime  everytime.”