Two men have been arrested following an aggravated burglary at a house in Tandragee on Friday afternoon.
Shortly after 3pm two men, one armed with a metal object, had forced entry to a house in the Ashtree Hill area.
Once inside the house however, the men were confronted by a male occupant, and they made off empty handed to a grey Nissan X Trail car and left the scene.
A short time later, a police patrol on the Armagh Road in Tandragee came across a road traffic collision in which a grey Nissan X Trail had been involved.
Two men located nearby were then arrested and taken into custody.
The men, aged 27 and 45, were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including aggravated burglary with intent to steal and dangerous driving. Both men remain in custody at this time.
Commenting, DUP Councillor Gareth Wilson, stated: “I am really shocked to learn of this incident at Ashtree Hill yesterday and the fact that these thugs have shook up a very decent gentleman in his home.
“This type of thuggery is certainly not welcome in any area let alone a quiet rural community such as Ashtree Hill and I trust the gentleman, who I know, recovers quickly from the shock of this ordeal. I understand arrests have been made and hopefully the process of the law will deal effectively with however is behind this shocking incident.”
Newry & Armagh DUP Assemblyman William Irwin MLA added: “This is a very unsavoury criminal act and I am relieved that the gentleman in the property has not been seriously injured as a result of this burglary on his home.
“To have your home entered forcibly and to be threatened is a serious ordeal and it is vital that every effort is made to deal effectively with the perpetrators.
“I wish the victim who has been at the brunt of this criminality well as he gets over the shock of such a sinister and shocking incident. If anyone witnessed any suspicious activity in the vicinity of Ashtree Hill Tandragee they should contact the PSNI without delay and assist in their inquiries.”
Independent Councillor Paul Berry commented: “I would like to first of all express my shock at this terrible incident which happened on Friday on the outskirts of Tandragee
“My thoughts and that of the community are with the victim and trust they get over this awful ordeal.
“Thankfully the PSNI managed to apprehend the two thugs and are currently in custody. Sadly a vehicle has been destroyed but thankfully no one seriously injured or dead as a result of these thugs actions however a constituents hedging and fencing was damaged by the incident which is a real inconvenience as well.
“I would commend the PSNI and local people for their swift response and I would appeal to anyone with information to report to the PSNI.
“It just reinforces the fact that we all must be vigilant and if you notice anyone or thing suspicious to report to the PSNI as soon as possible.”
Anyone with any information about this incident or who may be able to help with the investigation, is asked to call officers in Armagh on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference number 1114 05/11/21, or you can submit a report online using the 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/.
