Taxi driver threatened with handgun in early hours

By Gemma Murray
Published 17th Nov 2022, 10:42 BST
Updated 17th Nov 2022, 10:48 BST
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A 36-year-old man has been arrested after a taxi driver was threatened with a firearm in Belfast during the early hours of this morning.

The incident happened when the taxi driver picked up a man in the Albertbridge Road area shortly after 2am.

As the vehicle travelled through the city, the driver was threatened with a handgun and ordered to hand over money.

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But the driver was able to alert a police patrol on Ormeau Avenue – and when police approached the vehicle, the man fled.

The culprit was then pursued on foot by an officer, who was also had the gun pointed at him.

The PSNI spokesman added that after briefly losing sight of the suspect, officers arrested a man they located hiding in a garden in nearby Maryville Street.

He remains in police custody this morning.The firearm has been seized by police and will be subject to examination.Investigating officers would like to hear from any witnesses or anyone who may have captured footage in the relevant areas between 2am and 2.30am this morning. The number to call is 101, quoting reference 146 17/11/22.Information can also be provided via the non-emergency reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/ ."