A 32 year old man has been charged following a spate of armed robberies across the Mid-Ulster area.
Earlier this week, police confirmed three different stores were targeted in the incidents between around 6.50am and 7am on Thursday, including a Spar shop in Clonoe, a filling station on the Ballinderry Bridge Road in Coagh and a supermarket on Shore Road in Ballyronan.
Several elected representatives hit out following the robberies. Local Sinn Fein MLA Linda Dillon posted on social media: “Our local shop in Clonoe, Lynch’s has been robbed at gunpoint this morning. Shops in Coagh & Ballinderry have also been robbed at gunpoint and staff have been left traumatised.
“I have been at the scene to check on staff and thankfully no one has been hurt.”
In a statement the Retail NI group also condemned the robberies.
Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “These robberies on our members are utterly disgraceful and if anyone in the local community has any information, please contact the PSNI.
“We shouldn’t forget these are independent retailers that go above and beyond to serve their local community. Our thoughts are with the staff who have traumatised by these despicable attacks.
The man has been charged with three counts of robbery, taking conveyance without authority and common assault.
He is due to appear at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday 3rd February.
A police spokesperson added: “As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service”