Hammer wielding man arrested and suspect firearm seized in Belfast

By Q Radio News

Police have come under attack by a man armed with a hammer in Belfast. 

Officers also found a suspected firearm when responding to reports that a number of men were attempting to gain entry to a property on Easton Crescent. 

They were alerted by members of the public to a disturbance in the nearby Orient Gardens area where they approached the 29-year-old suspect at around 12.30am this morning.

He then ran at officers before being arrested and charged with a number of offences. 

Detectives are looking for a second suspect. 

A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police received a report around 12:25 am that a number of men were attempting to gain entry into a property in Easton Gardens.

"Officers attended the scene and were alerted to a disturbance in the nearby Orient Gardens area and were alerted by members of the public about a man armed with a hammer, when officers approached him he ran at them with the hammer, before being restrained and arrested.

"Police were made aware that a vehicle in Orient Gardens and another in Brookvale Street had their windows smashed. A suspected firearm was also recovered in the area.

"Detectives investigating a report of an incident in Easton Crescent, Belfast in the early hours of Monday, December 28th have charged a 29 year old man with a number of offences including assault on police and possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence.

"He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court today, Tuesday, 29 December.

"As is normal procedure all charges will be reviewed by the PPS." 

They described the second suspect as being around 6ft tall, of slim build, in his 20s and is described as wearing a black coat, grey tracksuit bottoms and a dark beanie type hat.

Anyone who has information that could assist them with their enquiries has been asked to contact them at Musgrave on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 51 of 28/12/20.