Pensioners robbed during separate incidents

Police have appealed for information after five pensioners were attacked and robbed in their homes during separate incidents yesterday evening.

The first incident happened at around 5pm, when four men broke into the home of a 74-year-old woman in the Tansy Road in Ballinderry, County Antrim.

The robbers ransacked the woman's home before making off with around £1,500 worth of jewellery.

Shortly after this, four men broke into the home of a 91-year-old woman in her home in the Glenavy Road area of Crumlin.

The robbers demanded that the woman hand over money, before escaping with a quantity of cash and jewellery.

At around 6.30pm, two men forced their way into the home of an 86-year-old man in the Leesonstow Road in Crumlin.

The robbers pushed the pensioner onto the sofa before stealing his wallet.

The thieves are said to have been smartly dressed and may have made off in an old style, green coloured Rover type car.

At around the same time, four youths broke into the home of an 81-year-old man in his Glengormley home.

The gang ransacked his home and made off with a quantity of money, which the pensioner had set aside for Christmas.

The final incident happened in the Belfast Road in Crumlin at around 9.15pm, when two masked men – one armed with a gun - used a sledgehammer to force their way into the home of a 68-year-old man.

The pair then ordered the victim to open a safe and the robbers removed the contents.

They then forced the pensioner to get into the rear of his car, and they drove him two miles away from his home where they then proceeded to abandon the man and his vehicle – making off in a waiting car.

The victim sustained cuts and bruises during the incident.

Police are investigating possible links between some of the robberies, and have appealed for anyone who may have witnessed anything in connection with any of the incidents to contact them on 0845 600 8000, or anonymously on the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.

(EF/KMcA)