Restaurant staff shaken by armed robbery bid

A STAFF member at a fast food restaurant was forced to lie on the floor by a man with a gun during an attempted robbery.

The incident happened on Brougham Street in north Belfast at around 9.20pm on Tuesday.

Staff were left shaken and distressed, police said.

The worker was approached by two men outside the restaurant, one of whom was holding a gun. They forced the employee inside and made him lie on the floor.

The PSNI said: “One of the men, who was said to have been dressed in black and wearing yellow gloves, pointed the gun at staff members while demanding money from the till.

“The other man, who was reported to have been wearing a grey top, dark gloves and carrying a hatchet, jumped over the counter and attempted to open the tills himself.

“Both then made off on foot empty-handed and were seen heading in the direction of Tigers Bay.

“A short time later a 30-yearold man was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery.”

Police added: “We are appealing to the public for information. Were you in the York Street area last night between 9pm and the time of the incident and if so, did you see these two men or anyone acting suspiciously?

“Or perhaps you witnessed the men as they fled from the scene between 9.20pm and 9.30pm? If you saw anything that could help with our investigation or if you have mobile phone/dash cam footage taken around the time of the incident, please get in touch with detectives.”