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Three small Carrickfergus businesses have been stripped of thousands of pounds worth of equipment and cash in an overnight rampage.

A van and tools were stolen from Sullatober recycling centre off Marshalltown Road, before the culprits moved onto a nearby garage, beauty salon and coffee shop.

Concerns have been raised about whether a criminal gang is targeting local firms.

Mechanic Stephen Quinn was hardest hit in the Wednesday morning crime spree - after his premises was “cleaned out”.

“I am bad tempered even talking about it,” he told Belfast Live.

(Image: Justin Kernoghan © Photopress Belfast)

“It’s not easy being self employed. I had to turn away two or three customers and I have two guys that work for me that I had to send home.

“It’s not like a I am a big business that can take a couple of thousand pound loss coming up to Christmas,” added the dad-of-two.

“All my tools and stuff are gone, computers, ratchets, batteries and whatever else.

“The council got the brunt of it as well, they got their van, filled it up in there and then came up here.

“They’ve been very canny, they obviously cut all the locks off and reversed in and filled their van, took it away and then burned it out.”

Stephen said the equipment he lost will cost around £7,000 to replace.

“The stuff they took is easy sold at a car garage or whatever. If people are buying, there’s people stealing,” he added.

(Image: Justin Kernoghan © Photopress Belfast)

Sullatober Household Recycling Centre closed for a time on Wednesday morning while police and forensics collected evidence.

A spokesman for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said: “A break-in took place at Sullatober Household Recycling Centre in the early hours of Wednesday.

“A van and a number of items were taken from the site.”

After the culprits finished at the recycling centre and mechanics they then appear to have broken through the back door of Simply Salon & Spa before crowbarring their front door and moving onto Season Coffee Shop in the same old building.

Money was reported stolen from both premises, while a charity box, tip jar and tools were also taken from the salon.

“They knew what they were doing,” said salon owner Louise McMaw, whose business has been operating in the area for a year.

“They didn’t take the iPad or iMac - which could have been tracked.”

(Image: Justin Kernoghan © Photopress Belfast)

After news of the break-in she said she was “hysterical”, but her message for the burglars was: “You haven’t won!”

Mrs McMaw said she is out tools and money totalling a few thousand, while a number of customers had to be rescheduled while the business was closed.

“You just have to pick yourself up and get on with it,” she continued.

“I will have to do extra late nights to get all the clients sorted, but it could have been much worse.”

Season Coffee House also lost a morning’s work, as seven staff waited until police finished around 12.30pm.

“Lucky enough there wasn’t major damage, just mess to clean up and lost money,” said chef Julie Davis.

(Image: Justin Kernoghan © Photopress Belfast)

“We have three tills and they took two of them,” added manager Jacquleen Henderson.

“These are small businesses - people from Carrick and it has stopped us working today.”

“It’s upsetting because we work hard every day.

“When you invade somebodies premises and take money or equipment, it’s stopping them doing their business.”

Local UUP MLA, John Stewart has raised concerns about whether a crime gang has been operating in the area.

He said at the scene: “This is totally disgraceful, obviously they have no concern for local businesses, the staff or the owners.

“It’s just the act of mindless thugs, but it is disturbing and alarming to know that there’s a number of these happening.

(Image: Justin Kernoghan © Photopress Belfast)

“I am hoping to meet police tomorrow to see if they have any evidence to suggest this is a copycat or if its the same gang that are doing it.”

The stolen van used in the burglaries was burned out in the Oakfield Drive area of the town around 4.30am.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the September 6 crime spree to come forward.

Sergeant Tracy Watterson said: “Anyone who has any information that could help our investigation into these incidents should contact police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 120 of 6/9/17.

“Alternatively, information can also be given anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”