Shop workers in the Shankill area have been left “badly shaken” after being threatened by a hammer wielding robber.
And police believe the incident, on Friday, January 1, may be linked to an earlier robbery also on the road.
Detectives are investigating two reports of armed robberies at ‘commercial premises’ in the Shankill Road area, they said in a statement on Saturday.
Detective Sergeant Eric Fairfield added: “Police received a report at around 7.50pm that a man armed with a hammer entered a shop in the area, threatened two members of staff before making off with a sum of cash. The staff were not injured, but left badly shaken.
“The male is described as being around 5’ 7’ and wearing white trainers dark blue jeans, a grey cardigan, a football scarf and a black hat. He is also described as wearing yellow and red gloves.”
The police added they they are linking this incident to an earlier report of an armed robbery at a shop in the Shankill Road area on Friday morning.
DS Fairfield added: “At around 10:55 am, it was reported that a man entered a shop in the area armed with a hammer. He threatened a male member of staff and then made off with a sum of money towards the Agnes Street area following the incident.
“The man is described as wearing a dark coloured hooded top with yellow writing and a yellow design on the front. This male is described as wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, black trainers with white design on either side of the shoes and a black mask.
“Enquiries are continuing and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident or who saw anything suspicious in the area, is asked to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 1060 and 2005 of 01/01/21.”
The PSNI said that a report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
