06/02/2014

Family Held Hostage In Robbery

Two members of the same family have been held hostage during a robbery in west Belfast.

The incident occurred on Wednesday morning (5 January).

It is understood the family were tricked into letting a man, who had been disguised as a postman, into their home. He then produced a gun and demanded money.

He held a man and woman hostage inside the property until another family member went to his workplace to obtain cash.

The money was handed over to another member of the gang at Fallswater Street at 9.30am.

Police said the alarm was raised after the handover took place.

Following the incident, one of the family members was taken to hospital for a check-up, but later released.

Officers have now launched an appeal for information and are looking to speak to anyone who saw a man with a holdall getting out of a silver car in Fallswater Street, located off the Falls Road, at around 9.30am. He gave the holdall to another man who then walked in the direction of Iveagh Street.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the PSNI in 0845 600 8000.

(JP/CD)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

02 November 2006
North Belfast family held hostage
A north Belfast family have been held hostage by an armed and masked gang. The incident happened shortly after 5am yesterday morning, when three men – one armed with a handgun, broke into the family home in the Fortwilliam Park area of the city and held the family – a man, and woman and their six-year-old twin girls, at gunpoint until 9am.
28 November 2024
Man Charged After Glenarm Shooting
Detectives investigating the incident on Feystown Road on Monday, 25 November, have charged a 41-year-old man with attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and criminal damage. The accused is due to appear at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court today, Thursday, 28 November.
09 August 2017
Man Released On Bail Over Lurgan Murder
A man arrested in connection with a murder in Lurgan on Sunday, 06 August, has been released on bail pending further enquiries. The body of a man, aged 45, was discovered at a flat on Victoria Street. Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
03 March 2014
Family Held Hostage In Co Down
A family has been held hostage by a gang in Co Down it has been reported. At around 8.30pm on Sunday, a number of men are said to have forced their way into a property on Smalls Road, Warrenpoint. Three members of a family were in the house at the time.
03 April 2007
Family held hostage in Londonderry robbery
An 87-year-old woman, her son and her daughter have been held hostage by an armed gang in their Londonderry home. It is understood the gang forced their way into the house at Bantry Road in the Foyle Springs area in the city late on Monday. The family were held at gunpoint overnight, until 9am this morning.