Two arrests after off-licence staff force armed robber to flee empty handed

By Q Radio News

Two men have been arrested following an attempted robbery of an off-licence in Ballymena. 

A man armed with a knife entered the premises on Cushendall Road shortly before 7pm yesterday evening and demanded money from the till. 

He made off empty handed after staff pushed him out from behind the counter. 

Two suspects, aged 38 and 33, were arrested a short time later. 

Detective Sergeant Lorimer said: “Shortly after 6:50pm, it was reported that a man armed with a knife entered an off-licence in the area.

''The man made his way behind the counter and made demands for staff to open the till, but was pushed out of the premises by members of staff.

''There were no reports of any injuries to the members of staff and nothing was believed to have been taken during the incident.

“A short time afterwards two males, believed to have been involved in the incident, were arrested by officers on suspicion of attempted robbery.

''They remain in police custody at this time.

“Enquiries are continuing and police would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area at the time of the incident, to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1772 16/09/20.''