POLICE investigating a series of burglaries and criminal damage incidents in North Belfast area have made three arrests.
Three incidents – believed to be linked – were reported to police in the early hours of Tuesday.
Shortly after 4.25am, three men attempted to cut the padlock off a garden gate in the Henderson Avenue area. They were disturbed and made off on foot in the direction of Old Cave Hill Road.
At 4.45am, a man with an angle grinder cut the padlock on a gate and with two accomplices entered the car park of K.A.R. Auto Repairs in Salisbury Avenue. CCTV footage captured the break-in.
They then cut the padlock off a motorbike and caused damage to a number of cars.
Just before 5.20am, it was reported to police that three males, again with an angle grinder, had been spotted in the Evelyn Gardens area trying to steal two scooters.
They made off on foot in the direction of Cavehill Road and shortly before 5.45am another burglary was reported to police in the Castleton Gardens area. Three men attempted to enter a property in the area, but made off towards Jubilee Avenue when they were disturbed by an occupant.
Three suspects were arrested by police a short time later in the Antrim Road area.
A PSNI spokesperson said: "They have been arrested on a number of offences, including burglary, the attempted theft of a motor vehicle, going equipped for theft and criminal damage and remain in police custody.
"Police are also investigating a link to the theft of a bike from the Cavehill Road area which was recovered close by and has since been returned to its owner.
"Our enquiries are continuing into these thefts and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area at the time of the incident or any suspicious vehicles travelling in the area, to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 156 of 15/03/22.
"You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form.
"You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online."
