A woman has been 'threatened with children present' and a man 'cable tied' in two 'traumatic ordeals'.
Police say the alleged incidents happened on Tuesday night, January 11, in North Antrim and are being linked at this stage.
It's believed firearms were taken during both incidents, with a man being armed with a crowbar during the first.
In the second ordeal, it's reported two men were armed with a crowbar and a sledgehammer.
In the first incident in the Blagh Road area of Coleraine, it's reported that at around 8pm, four masked men gained entry to a property.
PSNI Detective Inspector McKenna said: “It was reported that damage was caused to the back door of the property during the incident.
"The men, one who was armed with a crowbar, threatened a woman in the property who although not injured was left badly shaken. A number of children were also present in the house but were also not injured. It is believed a number firearms were taken during the incident."
In the second incident, police say four masked men gained entry to a property on the Knock Road, Dervock, at around 8.30pm.
DI McKenna said: “A man in his 60s was cable tied by the men during the incident - two of the masked men were armed with a crowbar and a sledgehammer. A number of firearms were taken during the incident. The man was not injured but left badly shaken - other family members in the house were not injured.
“Enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding these incidents, which are being linked at this stage.
“These were extremely traumatic ordeals for the victims of these crimes. It is particularly harrowing for young children to be faced with masked men intent on causing distress and threatening violence, and for family members seeing their loved ones bound by cable ties in their own homes.
“We would appeal to anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity or who may have dash-cam footage available from either the Blagh Road area of Coleraine at around 8pm or the Knock Road of Dervock between 8pm and 8:30pm, to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 1740 11/01/22.
"Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”
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