Armed robbbers target shop in Lisburn and ram PSNI in Portadown and Newry before escaping across border
Armed robbers who targetted a shop in Lisburn rammed police cars in Portadown and Newry before escaping across the border.
Police said two men robbed a newsagents in the Milltown Avenue area of Lisburn just before 2:45pm on Saturday 7 March.
The men jumped over the counter and started taking money from a till. One of them waved a metal object towards a staff member.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported but staff were left badly shaken and upset.
The suspects then fled with the cash as well as a handbag from a staff member, making off in a white Audi A3.
Both men are described as being aged in their 30s.
The first was around 5'9" and was was wearing a brown collared hooded parka with fur trim.
The second man is around 5'7" and was wearing a black beanie hat, black jumper, turquoise t-shirt, blue jeans and black trainers.
Police believe there were other occupants in the vehicle as well as the two robbers.
The getaway vehicle was repeatedly reported at several points as driving at speed, driving on the wrong side of the road, going around a roundabout the wrong way and refusing to stop for police.
The occupants threw bottles of alcohol and a steel chisel out the windows at police.
Police pursued the car, which rammed rammed patrol cars in both the Portadown and Newry areas before escaping across the border.
Police said that, thankfully, officers only suffered minor injuries but that they could have been looking at much more serious consequences today.
Affected officers are being appropriately supported.
Police inquiries are continuing and they are working working with colleagues in An Garda Síochána as the investigation continues.
Detectives are appealing for any information about the events, including dash-cam, CCTV or mobile phone footage. The public can contact police on 101, quoting reference number 893 07/03/26.
A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/
The public can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/