Bomb squad called to abandoned car used in armed robbery

Detectives are appealing for information following the report of an armed robbery at a house in the Wynnland Park area of Newtownabbey on Tuesday (21 February).

It was reported that two men, one armed with a suspected gun called to the house at around 8pm, threatened the man and woman inside and demanded the keys to a van parked outside. The keys were handed over and the men made off in the van.

There were no reports of any injuries. The first man was described as 5 ft 5’ tall of thin build. He was wearing a white hoody and a balaclava. The second man was described as 5ft 8’ of thin build and was wearing blue jeans.

The van was discovered abandoned a short time later, around a mile away, in Ballyvessy Park, New Mossley.

The area around the van was cordoned off and a number of homes evacuated whilst police and ATO examined the van to ensure the safety of local residents.

The van was removed from the scene and residents allowed back to their homes.

Sergeant Arnie O’Neill said: “I would ask anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area of Wynnland Park or Ballyvessy Park on Tuesday evening to contact detectives at Newtownabbey Police Station on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1176 of 21/02/17. Or, alternatively if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

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