A MAN HAS been arrested after staff were confronted by a knife-wielding robber at a well-known shop in Fivemiletown.
A 24-year-old has been arrested, and was due to appear in court on Friday past, following the robbery at Beatty’s Spar, in which a man entered the shop armed with a knife.
It is believed that he left with a sum of money and other items, the incident having been reported shortly before 11am on St Stephen’s Day.
Police also believe the man was involved in a robbery of business premises at the Augher Road, Clogher at around 10.40am that morning. It is believed the man threatened a member of staff with a a knife and made off with quantity of cigarettes in a white van following the incident.
The vehicle involved in both incidents is believed to have been stolen from a house in the west-Belfast area.
Police in Dungannon have charged a 24-year-old man with a number of offences including robbery, burglary and aggravated vehicle taking. He was due to appear at Omagh Magistrates Court on Friday December 27.
This is the second time that the shop has been targeted this year. In March, a safe was stolen from the shop.
DUP Councillor, Paul Robinson, described it as a ‘terrible experience’ for those present at the time.
“It’s the second time that the shop has been targeted. For the girls that were working in the shop it’s a terrible experience. It does a good trade and is a very busy shop – certainly one of the busiest in Fivemiletown.”
He added: “People were shocked and dismayed that it has happened in a small place like Fivemiletown.”
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