Detectives swoop in on alleged 'knifepoint' robbers

Arrests were made last night after the PSNI swooped in on a Spar at Quarry Lane, Dungannon.

An eyewitness said officers, some of whom were in plain clothes, went into the shop and "took out" a young man and woman around 9.30pm on Monday, March 27.

They said the pair had arrived at the shop in a black Mini, but were followed there by three police cars.

"There were two plain clothes guys taking pics of the car and every inch of tyres. They went into the shop and took them out... Three cop cars and a plain clothes guy."

Detectives said they arrested the pair, following a 7pm report that a newsagents on Perry Street had been robbed at knifepoint by a masked male.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "The robber fled the scene on foot with a sum of money before getting into a waiting car at the junction of Perry Street and Park Road. A man was questioned at the scene

A 39-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man were detained by police in the Quarry Lane area a short time later. They remain in custody this morning assisting with enquiries.

Detective Inspector Will Tate is appealing for witnesses, he said: "We would like to hear from anyone who was in the Perry Street area shortly before 7pm yesterday evening and who may have information that could help our investigation. "Detectives at Mid Ulster Reactive and Organised Crime can be contacted by calling 101, quoting reference 1033 27/03/17."