By Q Radio News
Armed robbers reportedly stole firearms in two separate burglaries in north Antrim on Tuesday night.
Police say at around 8pm on Tuesday four masked man broke into a property on the Blagh Road area of Coleraine.
The four men, armed with a crowbar, apparently caused damage to the back door of the property and threatened a woman there, who is believed to be badly shaken from the incident.
PSNI: Armed robbers stole firearms in two separate burglaries in North Antrim last night.
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 12, 2022
Masked men broke into a home in the Blagh Road area of Coleraine and, in a separate incident, masked men forced their way into a house in Dervock at half past eight. pic.twitter.com/hoLMXJ3ziT
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.
Police also received reports at around 8:30pm that four masked men. who were armed with a crowbar and sledgehammer, broke into a property in the Knock Road area of Dervock.
A man in his 60s was cable tied by the men during the incident.
It is also believed that a number of firearms were taken during the incident.
Both the man and his family members were left badly shaken but otherwise uninjured.
Detective Inspector McKenna said:
“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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