Garda appeal over armed robbery of bank cash in Leixlip

Gardaí at Leixlip Garda Station are investigating a cash in transit robbery that occurred outside a bank on Main Street, Leixlip on Monday, February 5 last.

A reconstruction of the crime including actual CCTV footage (pictured) was feature on Crimecall on RTE this week.

On the date in question, a security van driver was making his rounds in the Kildare area in a blue cash-in-transit van.

The van had parked in a cul de sac called Ralph Square, at the side of the bank.

At almost the same time a white Volkswagen Caddy, registration number 04MN6401, drove into the cul de sac, and waited while the van driver made deliveries to and from the bank.

At around 11.40am, the driver of the van made his first delivery to the bank. He then returned to the van and as he was about to return to the bank with another box, the white VW Caddy drove from the cul-de-sac and onto the Main Street, blocking the road.

A suspect emerged from the rear of the van and pointed a gun at the driver and ordered him to drop the box.

The driver dropped the box, which the suspect picked up before jumping into the rear of the Caddy, which drove off in the Lucan direction, with its rear doors open.

The Caddy was next seen passing the Salmon Leap pub. It then turned right onto Cooldrinagh Lane, where it was set alight by the driver.

Both suspects than headed over a footbridge which crosses the M4, and leads to the continuation of Cooldrinagh Lane, Lucan.

At this point the suspects join a third man who is waiting in a silver Ford Focus hatchback van.

The suspects then drive away together in the Ford Focus continuing along Cooldrinagh Lane in the direction of the entrance to Weston Aerodrome.

The VW Caddy was totally destroyed by fire and later recovered by Gardaí.

The Silver Ford Focus and the cash box have not been recovered to date.

Description of Suspect 1

• Head covered with a scarf

• Dark top and trousers

• Acted nervously

• Spoke with an Irish accent

Description of Suspect 2

• Wore a navy jacket over a grey hoodie and grey tracksuit bottoms.

Appeal:

• Anyone in the vicinity of Main street Leixlip and who may have seen the suspects and the VW Caddy, (prior to or after the robbery).

• Anyone in the vicinity of Cooldrinagh Lane and who saw the suspects transfer from the VW Caddy to the Ford Focus van.

• Anyone with information in relation to either of the two vehicles involved, (where stored and who had/has possession).

• Gardaí are appealing to anyone who might have information on the whereabouts of the cash box to come forward.

Gardaí at Leixlip Garda Station are investigating tel: (01) 666 7800