Taxi driver grabbed by throat and robbed in Ballywalter

By Q Radio News

A taxi driver has been grabbed by the throat and robbed in Ballywalter.

The suspect had been picked up at a takeaway in Newtownards last night before being driven to Main Street in the seaside village.

The victim beeped his horn to alert a passing police patrol at around 8.40pm before a 32-year-old man was arrested a short distance away. 

A PSNI spokesperson said ''Police in Ballywalter arrested a 32 year old man on suspicion of robbery on Friday evening. 

"At around 8.40 pm, police on patrol in the Main Street area of Ballywalter observed a man running away from a parked taxi, the driver told police he had just been robbed.

"The officers pursued the male on foot and arrested him a short distance away.

"It was reported that the taxi driver had picked the man up at a takeaway restaurant in Newtownards and driven to Main Street in Ballywalter.

"When they arrived at the destination, the passenger put his arms around the throat of the taxi driver and demanded money.

"He made off from the vehicle with a sum of cash, when the police patrol were driving past. The driver used his horn and told the officers he had just been robbed.

"The man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in custody at this time."