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Two men armed with axe smash up Tyrone apartment in ‘frightening’ Easter Sunday raid

Armed police responded to the incident in Strabane and at one stage items were thrown at officers

Today at 13:19

Two men armed with a suspected axe smashed up an apartment during a “frightening” Easter Sunday raid in Co Tyrone.

Armed police responded to the incident in Strabane and at one stage items were thrown at officers.

Other occupants of the building were told to lock themselves in for their own safety.

The incident happened early on Sunday morning.

It was reported that two men forced their way into the apartment in the Main Street area of the town at around 7.30am, armed with what appeared to be an axe.

The suspects were reported to have damaged communal areas in the building and forced the front door of the property before throwing items at police from the apartment windows, which they subsequently smashed. They also damaged a number of personal items in the apartment.

Local response officers attended along with armed response units. The men appeared to be armed with further weapons they had obtained inside the apartment, and made threats towards police.

The other occupants of the building were advised to keep their doors locked and stay away from these and windows for their own safety.

Just before 8.30am, the two men surrendered to police.

Chief Inspector Luke Moyne said: “The two men were detained at the scene.

“A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary, criminal damage, assault on police and breach of licence conditions.

“A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary.

“Both men are currently receiving medical attention.

“This was a serious incident which was frightening for local residents and caused disruption in the area on what should have been a peaceful Easter Sunday morning.

“We are working hard to obtain a full picture of, and establish a motive for, the circumstances surrounding the crime.

“As our officers continue with their enquiries we would appeal to anyone who was in the Main Street area this morning who may have witnessed two men acting suspiciously, or who has any other information which may be important to our investigation, to get in touch with us.