Armed robbery leaves staff badly shaken

Staff at a shop in Belfast have been left badly shaken after they were threatened with a suspected machete.

The man entered the shop in the Oldpark Road area and threatened two female members of staff with what is believed to be either a machete or a cleaver type knife, before he made off with the till at around 9pm on Saturday.

He is described as being approximately 5'8" tall and wearing a dark puffa jacket, a hoodie with the hood up, a red scarf covering his face and orange builder type gloves.

The women were not injured as a result of this incident, however they were left very badly shaken.

It is believed that a second suspect was waiting outside the premises during this incident. Both men made off in the direction of Ardoyne Avenue.

The till was found abandoned in an alleyway off Oldpark Square.

Detective Sergeant Maguire would appeal to anyone who noticed any suspicious activity or anyone who has information that could assist us with our enquiries to contact detectives at Musgrave on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 1327 15/2/18. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.

Meanwhile a man has been threatened with a wheel brace during an armed robbery in west Belfast.

The cash in transit delivery driver was forced to hand over a sum of money to the armed man on the Falls roads around 7.30 am on Sunday.

He then fled in a blue Ford Focus and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.