Gardaí in Co Louth investigating a series of carjackings yesterday arrested two men in relation to a staged car-theft operation which has been going on for three weeks.
The two men, who are in their 20s, were being held in Drogheda Garda station last night after they were arrested as part of a day-long undercover Garda operation. Following a car chase that ended at the Ballymascanlon roundabout in Dundalk, the two men fled the scene on foot but were later arrested.
One of the cars stolen by the gang, who are believed to be from Northern Ireland, was recovered.
Yesterday's arrests follow public warnings from gardaí advising motorists, in particular female drivers, to be extra vigilant. On five occasions, a female driver travelling on her own in a car model such as an Audi, Lexus and Volkswagen was targeted.
A carjacking incident at the start of the week, in which the gang drove up behind an Audi and seemed to rear-end the car at traffic lights, is typical. On each occasion, the driver would leave her car to check for damage only to find a member of the other car jumping into hers and driving off.
The two men can be held for questioning for up to 72 hours.