A 4X4 belonging to a dairy farmer in Co. Waterford was stolen on Friday last (February 23), as the owner worked less than 100 yards away.
The short-wheel base (SWB) Toyota Land Cruiser was stolen at approximately 5:15pm on the evening in question from a farmyard located in the Ballykinsella, Tramore region of the county.
The 4X4 is black in colour and its registration is 06-WD-7. The vehicle was parked in the farmyard – which has electric gates – as the farmer went about his work.
Speaking to AgriLand, he said: “I was just going to lock up the cows when I saw it driving past. It went down a cow path and out onto the road. I ran down after it and rang the Gardai straight away.”
The 3L Land Cruiser was spotted travelling in the Cullencastle/Kilbride direction at around 5:25pm.
An investigation has been launched by An Garda Siochana; no other sighting of the vehicle has been confirmed as yet.
A number of tools were in the back of the stolen 4X4. The farmer explained that the Land Cruiser has between 123,000km and 124,000km on the clock; it also has a noticeable amount of surface rust on the undercarriage.
Other distinguishing features include the front number plate being tilted back slightly. The spare tyre is mounted on the vehicle’s back door; it is not covered – but, it has the official Land Cruiser centre piece.
The farmer is asking people to keep an eye out for the stolen 4X4. Anyone who has information on its whereabouts or who may have seen it over the weekend is asked to contact Tramore Garda Station on: 051-391620.