Pair arrested following Mid Ulster armed robberies
Following the armed robberies at a trio of shops in Mid Ulster last week, police have confirmed they have arrested two men.
The shops – in Ballyronan, Coagh and Clonoe – were targeted in the shocking incidents in the early hours of Thursday 30th January.
The robberies took place at a filling station on the Ballindery Bridge Road in Coagh at around 6.50am, when two men armed with a handgun entered McCrystal’s Day Today store and threatened staff, placing a weapon to the head of one man and forcing him to open the till.
The second robbery happened at a supermarket on the Shore Road in Ballyronan just before 7am. Again staff were threatened with a handgun before making off with cash and cigarettes.
The third robbery took place at Lynch’s SPAR on Moor Road in Clonoe, with the suspects against making off with cash.
A blue Audi A6, believed to have been used by the suspects, was stolen from outside an address in Portadown and later found on fire at Drumcree Community Centre.
Detective Sergeant Robinson said that Mid Ulster detectives conducted a number of searches at properties in the Churchill Park area of Portadown on Thursday 30th January.
“Two men, aged in their 30s and 50s, were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences in connection with the investigation – an electronic device was also seized for forensic examination.”
They were subsequently taken into police custody for questioning.
“We would reiterate our appeal that anyone with information or who may have captured CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage of what happened is asked to contact police by calling 101, quoting reference number 201 30/01/25,” added Detective Sergeant Robinson.
Information can also be submitted online via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
