PSNI investigating potential link between two masked armed robberies on Newtownards Road

Sophie McLaughlin

16 November 2024 at 0:32 pm·2-min read

File photo dated 01/05/23 of a Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officer. — -Credit: (Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

Police are currently investigating the circumstances between two armed robberies in East Belfast on Friday.

The PSNI responded to a report of an armed robbery at a shop on Newtownards Road at 7am on November 15 where it was reported that a man armed with a knife threatened a staff member and ordered them to hand over money and cigarettes.

The incident took place around 24 hours after the shop was robbed on Thursday morning.

Detectives are now appealing for information after they received a second report of an armed robbery in the Newtownards Road area on Friday evening.

Detective Sergeant McCartan said: “Police received a report shortly after 7pm that a man had entered a takeaway on the Newtownards Road and threatened a staff member with a hammer.

“The man demanded that the staff member hand over money, before damaging the till. He made off towards the city with a sum of cash.

“The suspect is described as approximately 6ft tall, and wearing an orange / red face covering."

Detective Sergeant McCartan continued: "Our enquiries are underway and anyone who saw a man matching this description, or who captured CCTV or dash-cam footage in the area at the relevant time, is asked to contact 101, quoting reference number 1506 15/11/24.

“We are investigating a potential link between this robbery and an earlier report that shortly before 7am on Friday morning a masked man had entered a shop on the Newtownards Road and threatened a male staff member with a knife."

A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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