This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6083414.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Robbers assault woman, shopowner Robbers assault woman, shopowner
(about 4 hours later)
A woman has been dragged onto the road and had her handbag stolen by three youths, one armed with a crowbar.A woman has been dragged onto the road and had her handbag stolen by three youths, one armed with a crowbar.
The incident happened at Great Patrick Street in Belfast city centre.The incident happened at Great Patrick Street in Belfast city centre.
Earlier, at about 0700 BST two men went into a shop on the Stranmillis Road and stole cigarettes. They assaulted the owner and threatened him with a knife.Earlier, at about 0700 BST two men went into a shop on the Stranmillis Road and stole cigarettes. They assaulted the owner and threatened him with a knife.
A short time later two men, one armed with an iron bar, robbed a shop on the Ormeau Road. Police believe all three incidents may be linked.A short time later two men, one armed with an iron bar, robbed a shop on the Ormeau Road. Police believe all three incidents may be linked.
The owner of the shop in Stranmillis, Gunter Shiefer, was alone when two men, armed with a knife, tried to rob him.
"One came towards me, I went for him, he panicked and ran out dropped the knife blade and I closed the door," he said.
He was uninjured and the men escaped with some packets of cigarettes. Police recovered the knife from the scene.
The whole incident was caught on CCTV camera and Mr Shiefer said that he would be improving his security even more.
The youths involved in the Great Patrick Street robbery were seen driving off in a silver Honda Civic in the York Street area afterwards.The youths involved in the Great Patrick Street robbery were seen driving off in a silver Honda Civic in the York Street area afterwards.
A knife was recovered at the scene of the Stranmillis Road robbery.
Police have said they are investigating a link between all three incidents and have appealed for witnesses to contact them.Police have said they are investigating a link between all three incidents and have appealed for witnesses to contact them.