Armed Robberies, Greater Belfast
24 Nov 2009
Detectives in Castlereagh are appealing for information following two armed robberies in the Saintfield Road area on Monday 23 November.
The first robbery occurred around 3.25pm when a male entered a newsagent's shop and approached a female member of staff at the counter. He had a suspected firearm in his possession and placed a rucksack on the counter before demanding cash and cigarettes.
The male made off with the cash and cigarettes.
Three school children were present in the shop at the time of the incident.
The male is described as being 5ft 8in tall, approximately 17 to 18 years old and of slim build. The male has fair to light brown hair and had black scarf over his face. He was wearing a white baseball cap, black tracksuit bottoms, a light coloured hooded top under a black tracksuit jacket, white trainers and black gloves. He spoke with a local accent.
The second incident took place around 9.40pm when a male, with a suspected firearm in his possession, entered a garage on Saintfield Road.
The male approached the counter, placed a rucksack on it and demanded cash and cigarettes from the male member of staff.
The male then made off with the cash and cigarettes across the forecourt in the direction of the nearby roundabout.
The male is described similarly.
Police believe these two incidents are linked and are also investigating a link with an earlier armed robbery at a confectioner's shop close to the junction of Ravenhill Road and Ormeau Road.
Police are appealing to anyone who has information in relation to any of these incidents to contact them on 0845 600 8000. Information about crime can also be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
