A County Antrim tractor dealer has praised the efforts of police after two tractors that were stolen in Mallusk on Sunday night have both been recovered.
Thieves struck on Sunday night at the newly established Cowan Brothers NI tractor depot on the Michelin Road and stole two New Holland tractors.
The first tractor was taken from the premises just outside Belfast around 7.40pm which was a 2012 New Holland T6050 with registration HX61 FWZ and serial number ZCBDO1205.
Just two hours later the brazen thieves came back and stole a second tractor, this time a 2012 New Holland T7 185 bearing registration UNZ 3971.
However, a short time later on Sunday night the police spotted the second tractor at the Old Mill Industrial Estate in Muckamore, Antrim and the driver fled the scene. Police subsequently arrested the driver and the tractor was recovered.
The first tractor stolen was discovered later on Monday close to a hotel in Templepatrick.
Alwyn Cowan is a director with Cowan Bros NI. He said: “I can’t praise the actions of the police enough in finding our tractors.
“The police were here in force on Sunday night and on Monday and assured us they were searching for the stolen tractors.
“The thieves cut a fence into a derelict yard behind our premises and got the tractors out that way.
“Neither of the tractors were equipped with tracking devices and sadly the same key, which anyone can buy for £4, fits the same tractors.
“This is something the manufacturers need to look at more closely.
“However, I am glad the tractors are back and hopefully some more arrests will be made to bring these people to justice.
“I must thank the police for their quick action in finding the tractors.”
A statement from the police said: “Local police officers have recovered a high value stolen tractor.
“At around 10pm on Sunday night a routine patrol spotted a tractor being driven into an industrial estate on Seven Mile Straight in Antrim.
“Finding the movement of an agricultural vehicle so late at night suspicious, officers followed the tractor.
“On seeing police, the tractor driver jumped from the vehicle leaving the unmanned tractor to ram through a metal fence.
“A blue Peugeot car was then spotted speeding from the area but was stopped by officers and the driver was arrested.
“Police were able to quickly establish that the New Holland tractor had been stolen, along with a second tractor, from commercial premises on Michelin Road in Mallusk earlier the same evening. The owners of the tractors had been unaware that they had been taken.
“If you do come across anything unusual or if anything rouses your suspicions do not hesitate to let us know by calling 101.”
