Patrick Wilson, from Churchill Park in Portadown appeared in Enniskillen Magistrates’ Court on Monday 3^rd February, where he faced a total of five charges.

He was charged with three counts of robbery – at The Mace Ballyronan, McCrystals Filling Station in Ballinderry and Lynch’s SPAR Moor Road Coalisland – each of the counts relate to the theft of cash from each store, as well as cigarettes and scratchcards from The Mace Ballyronan.

He was further charged with taking conveyance without authority from an address in Portadown and the common assault of a male.

Two men were arrested following the shocking incidents, in which staff were threatened with a handgun, with the weapon placed against the heads of staff in two of the shops.

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.

A number of searches were conducted by Mid Ulster detectives at properties in the Churchill Park area of Portadown and an electronic device was also seized for forensic examination.

A 50-year-old man was released on bail to allow for further police enquiries.

Wilson had bail refused by Enniskillen Magistrates’ Court and he was remanded into custody in Maghaberry, with his case adjourned until 19^th February when he will appear at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court by way of video link.

Police enquiries are ongoing and detectives are appealing to anyone with information, or who may have captured CCTV, doorbell or dash cam footage of what happened, to contact 101, quoting reference number 201 30/01/25.

The post Bail refused for man charged in relation to Mid Ulster armed robberies first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

The shops – in Ballyronan, Coagh and Clonoe – were targeted in the shocking incidents in the early hours of Thursday 30^th 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 30^th 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

The post Pair arrested following Mid Ulster armed robberies first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

The shops – in Ballyronan, Coagh and Clonoe – were targeted in the shocking incidents on Thursday morning, 30^th January.

The first robbery at a filling station on the Ballinderry Bridge Road in Coagh, took place at approximately 6.50am. Two masked 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 robbers made off with a sum of cash, travelling in a vehicle driven by a third man.

The second robbery happened at a supermarket on Shore Road in Ballyronan and was reported just before 7am. Again, two men armed with a handgun, threatened staff, placing the gun to the head of one staff member, before making off with cash and a quantity of cigarettes.

A short time later the third armed robbery was reported. This time Lynch’s SPAR on Moor Road in Clonoe was robbed at gunpoint, with the suspects again making off with cash.

Police have launched an investigation into the incidents and believe a blue Audi A6 was used by the robbers. They said the vehicle had been stolen earlier on 30^th January from outside an address in Portadown, while it was being left running to warm up.

The vehicle was subsequently found on fire at Drumcree Community Centre at around 8.40am.

“Thankfully no one was injured during any of these robberies, however staff have been left understandably shocked by the ordeal they experienced,” said Detective Inspector Handley.

‘My thoughts are with the staff – they should not have to face this in their workplace’

The incidents have been condemned by local politicians and community representatives. Councillor Malachy Quinn said he was “absolutely disgusted” by the news, and said the armed robbery in Clonoe was “nothing short of an attack on our community”.

“Everyone knows the massive role SPAR plays in our community – not just as a shop but through donations to local charities, sports clubs, and community initiatives,” he said in a statement on social media.

“My thoughts are with the staff who were put through this ordeal – they should not have to face this in their workplace.”

Eoin Tennyson MLA also condemned the incident and said it was “absolutely disgraceful” the car was set on fire after being stolen.

“The thugs responsible have shown a blatant disregard for the local community who use and rely on the centre, which thankfully remains open,” he said, urging anyone with information to contact police.

Detectives investigating the incidents have asked for anyone with information or who may have captured CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage that could assist investigators, to contact police by calling 101, quoting reference 201 30/01/25.

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

The post Condemnation of armed robberies at Mid Ulster shops first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.