Police investigating armed robberies at two Belfast off licences
Off licences were targeted in two separate attacks in Belfast at the weekend, which saw staff threatened and cash stolen in armed robberies.
In the first incident on Thursday 3rd October at approximately 7.25pm, a man who was wearing dark clothing and a mask entered commercial premises in the Holywood Road area, armed with a weapon.
The suspect threatened staff with a knife and demanded money before fleeing on foot with a sum of cash from a till.
Detective Sergeant Kitchen said that staff were unharmed in the incident but were left shaken in what was a terrifying experience for them and others who were in the off licence at the time.
“Officers responded and a short time later the suspect, a 19-year-old man, was detained in the Grampian Avenue area. He was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, theft, possessing an article with blade or point in a public place and robbery.”
Detectives investigating the robbery in east Belfast have since charged a man to court. The 19-year-old appeared before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Friday 4th October where he was charged with robbery, possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, and theft.
As is usual procedure, the charge will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
Meanwhile, on Saturday 5th October at approximately 7.45pm a man, who was dressed in black and had the bottom half of his face covered, entered commercial premises on the Crumlin Road, armed with a weapon. He confronted a member of staff behind the till and demanded money.
The suspect then grabbed the staff member by his collar and threatened him with a knife. The suspect then proceeded to go behind the till, opened it and took a sum of cash.
Before fleeing the off licence on foot, the suspect also pushed another staff member and caused a small cut to the hand of a third member of staff.
Police said the staff were understandably left shaken by what happened, describing it as a terrible ordeal.
“Thankfully the injuries were not serious,” said Detective Sergeant McAllister.
“We have launched an investigation into this armed robbery and are asking the local community for its assistance in supporting our enquiries. If you were in the area and noticed anything suspicious, we would ask that you call us on 101, quoting reference number 1506 05/10/24.
“Anyone living in this general area or nearby is also asked to review your doorbell, CCTV or dash-cam footage. Your assistance is of great importance to us in our investigation.”
Police are also appealing for anyone who was in the Holywood Road area on Thursday 3rd October or who has any additional information, CCTV or mobile footage to call police on 101, quoting reference number 1470 03/10/24.
You can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/
