Police have arrested a 20-year-old man following a burglary in south Belfast this morning, Friday 30th December. 

Detective Sergeant Dougherty said: "We received a report of an ongoing burglary shortly before 1.20am this morning in the Orchardville Avenue area. 

"It was reported that a man had been knocking on the door of a house in the area. Once the male occupant opened the door, the suspect pushed past both the male and female occupants, aged in their 80s, and made his way upstairs. The suspect was then apprehended by two members of the public until police arrived a short time later.

"Thankfully the occupants were unharmed but understandably they are both shaken by the ordeal.

"The man was arrested on suspicion of burglary with intent to steal, threats to kill and common assault. He remains in police custody at this time."

Detective Sergeant Dougherty said: "Our enquiries are underway and we are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time of the burglary, or who may have captured anything suspicious on dash-cam or CCTV footage, to make contact with police on 101 quoting reference number 72 30/12/22”

You can also 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/.

UPDATE

The 20 year old man has since been charged with burglary with intent to steal, assault and threats to kill. He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday 26th January. As is normal procedure all charges are reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.