Shop worker threatened by man wielding hammer in Garvagh

Q Newsdesk

A female shop worker in Garvagh has been threatened by a man armed with a hammer.

The suspect was one of two men who entered the premises on Main Street just before 10.30 last night.

The both fled with a stolen handbag.

No-one was injured in the incident but police say staff have been left shaken by the ordeal.

Detective Sergeant Robinson said:

"We received a report shortly before 11:35pm that two men had entered a shop on Main Street through the rear of the premises, around 10:25pm, and had stolen a handbag. 

"As the suspects - one of whom was armed with a hammer - were leaving the premises they were confronted by a staff member. They threatened her and ordered her not to move until they had fled.

"Thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries, but staff who were simply doing their job in their place of employment have understandably been left shaken by what must have been a frightening ordeal. 

"I want to appeal to anyone who was in the Main Street area of Garvagh around 10:25pm and saw two males acting suspiciously, or who has information which may assist our investigation, to contact detectives in Coleraine on the non emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1638 of 22/03/19."