The terrified owner of a Forkhill home was placed in the kitchen as men armed with a sledgehammer ransacked it before making off with money.
It was one of two shocking incidents which occurred in the south Armagh area this morning (Tuesday, April 11).
Detectives are appealing for information on two burglaries which they believe are linked.
At approximately 9.10am, police received a report that approximately two or three men had gained access to a property in the Moninna Villas area of Camlough, by smashing a number of windows with what is believed to have been iron bars.
The men searched number of rooms in the property before making off. It is unclear at this stage if anything has been taken.
A short time later, at approximately 10.20am police received a second report that around four or five men armed with a sledgehammer, smashed their way into a house in the New Road area of Forkhill.
The men placed the homeowner in the kitchen while they ransacked a number of rooms.
They then made off in a grey coloured Volkswagen Golf with a handbag, which contained a sum of cash and bank cards.
The victim was uninjured during the incident however has been left badly shaken by the ordeal.
Detective Inspector Duffield said: “We are treating these incident as linked and I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed anyone suspicious in the area or to anyone who may have CCTV or doorbell footage that could assist with enquiries, to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference 678 of 11/04/23.”
Alternatively, you can submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/
