Man arrested after ‘terrifying’ off licence robberies
A man has been arrested in relation to two off licence robberies in south Belfast.
The 36-year-old was arrested on Friday 7th August on suspicion of robbery and possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence.
The alleged incidents occurred on Thursday evening, 6th August at premises located in the Agincourt Avenue and Lisburn Road areas when they were entered by an unknown man who produced a knife and demanded money from staff.
These incidents came just days after a shocking incident in which a member of staff working in an off licence in Carrickfergus was allegedly stabbed with a screwdriver. A 34-year-old man has been remanded into custody in relation to this incident.
The first incident in south Belfast occurred at approximately 7.50pm when a male went into the premises in Agincourt Avenue and took a quantity of alcohol to the counter. He then produced a knife before demanding staff empty the tills.
Later, at 9.50pm a report of a second incident at an off licence on the Lisburn Road was received by police. A man matching the description from the previous incident entered the store and again took alcohol to the counter before producing a knife and demanding staff empty the till.
He left the store with cash and alcohol, making off in the direction of Donnybrook Street.
The incidents were described as terrifying for the staff working in the off licences, and although shaken, thankfully none of the staff members sustained any injury.
Detective Sergeant McGearty said that following questioning, the man was later released on police bail to allow for further enquiries in relation to the investigation.
Officers are continuing to investigate the incidents in south Belfast and are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
