Four people have been arrested following a series of armed thefts in south Belfast on Saturday, March 15.
Officers are investigating whether the incidents are linked.
Detective Sergeant McVeagh said: “At around 4.55pm, we received a report that a man believed to be aged in his 50s had entered business premises on Agincourt Avenue armed with a knife.
“After making threats towards staff, he made off in the direction of Botanic Gardens with a sum of cash, alongside tobacco and cigarettes.
“Thankfully, although they were shaken by the incident, the staff were otherwise unharmed.”
Detective McVeagh added that just before 8.40pm, officers on patrol in the Ormeau Road area were flagged down by a member of the public who reported that his electric bike had been stolen.
It was later reported that the bike had been taken at knifepoint by two men believed to be in their 20s.
Detective Sergeant McVeagh continued: “The third incident occurred at around 9.35pm, when a white Mercedes and blue Volkswagen Golf pulled up to a residential property in Damascus Street.
“Approximately six people got out of the vehicles and entered the property by force, armed with a number of weapons.
“Substantial damage was caused to the windows of the property before the six made off from the scene.
“Our officers obtained registration numbers for the vehicles involved and Roads Policing Unit stopped one of the cars around 45 minutes later.
“The four people on board were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary.”
The four individuals – two men aged 34 and 20, a woman aged 21, and a young person aged 16 – were later released on bail pending further enquiries.
Detective Sergeant McVeagh appealed for witnesses to come forward.
“We know that south Belfast would be busy at the weekend with people out and about enjoying their free time, and would ask that anyone who has information in relation to the above matters make contact with detectives by calling 101, quoting reference number 1605 of 15/03/24.”