Woman suffers ‘traumatic ordeal’ in roadside robbery in Newry

Police have said a young woman was subjected to a traumatic ordeal after she was grabbed during a robbery at a roadside in Co Down.

Detectives in Newry are investigating the incident in the Tandragee Road in the city on Thursday.

The victim, 20, left the Damolly Retail Park in her vehicle at around 11.10pm and was driving in direction of the Fiveways Roundabout when she noticed another vehicle appeared to be following her.

A PSNI spokesperson said the vehicle began to flash its headlights before swerving in front of the victim’s car forcing her to stop in the Tandragee Road.

The spokesperson said: “A male exited the passenger side of the car and approached.

“He proceeded to smash the passenger window of the woman’s car and attempted to remove items from the seat before fleeing in the suspect vehicle, which was driven by a second person.

“A few minutes later the suspect vehicle returned whilst the young woman was attempting to contact police at the roadside.

“They again stopped and this time the driver emerged and grabbed the victim, taking her mobile phone.

“Both men then sped off in their vehicle in the direction of Newry city.”

The spokesperson added: “This young woman has been through a traumatic ordeal and detectives in Newry CID are currently offering her appropriate support.

“We are carrying out a thorough investigation into the robbery and we are asking the public for help in identifying the two suspects.”