Dye may have marked bank thief

Dye may have marked bank thief

18 July 2012

POLICE believe a coloured dye may have marked the man behind the recent armed robbery in Castlewellan.

The man, armed with a gun, threatened staff at the Ulster Bank at Upper Square in the town last Tuesday, stealing a cashbox.

Detectives believe the cashbox triggered a security device inside when it was taken, which emits smoke and coloured dye. The cash box was abandoned on the Newcastle Road.

A CID spokesman said the culprit may still be marked.

“Cash boxes have many different types of security devices but we believe on this occasion the robber may still be marked with the dye from inside the box,” he said. “We are making an appeal to the public to contact police if they know someone or has seen someone recently whose skin or clothes have been marked or affected in some way by a coloured dye.”

Police are continuing to appeal for anyone who was in the area and witnessed the incident to contact them in Downpatrick on 0845 600 8000.

To provide information anonymously contact the independent Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.