Man threatens to pour 'acid' over female worker in North Belfast

Q Newsdesk

A man's threatened to pour what he claimed was acid over a shop-worker during an armed robbery in North Belfast.

It happened on the Oldpark Road at around 7.15 yesterday evening.

The man - who had his face covered - demanded the staff member to open the till.

He then produced a bottle of clear liquid and said he would "throw acid over her" if she refused.

The worker raised the alarm and the man made off empty-handed.

Local councillor JJ Magee says it's very concerning news:

Detectives are appealing for witnesses following an attempted armed robbery of a shop on Oldpark Rd in north Belfast around 7.15pm last night. Witnesses asked to call 101 quoting reference 978 05/01/19.

— PSNI (@PoliceServiceNI) 6 January 2019

A PSNI spokesperson said:

It was reported that at around 7.15pm a male entered a shop and demanded that a member of staff open the till. 

The male produced a bottle containing a clear liquid and threatened that he would throw acid over the member of staff if she refused to do so. 

The member of staff raised the alarm and the assailant made off empty handed towards Oldpark Avenue. 

He is described as being around 30 years old, approximately 5’10” tall, of medium build, with dirty fair hair and a Southern Irish accent.

 He was wearing a black hooded jacket, grey track bottoms, black trainers with white soles and had a scarf partially covering his face.

Detective Sergeant Dane is appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone with any information to contact Detectives in Musgrave Police Station on 101, quoting reference 978 05/01/19. 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.