Teen threatened at knifepoint and pet tortoise stolen during armed robbery
Police in Northern Ireland have issued an appeal to the public after a teenager's pet tortoise was stolen during an armed robbery in Belfast.
The incident occurred at the Colinmill area of west Belfast on Tuesday evening.
At around 7.30pm yesterday evening, it was reported that a young male in his teens was approached by three males in the area.
It was reported the three males demanded money from the 13-year-old boy during the incident. When he refused, one of the males threatened him with a knife.
The group took the young man's pet tortoise, named Donatello, in the course of the incident before they then made off towards the Old Colin Road area.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have launched an investigation into the incident and have appealed to anyone with any information in relation to the armed robbery to come forward.
Detective Sergeant Kitchen said in a statement: "The males are described as being aged between 14-16 years old, all wearing black coloured clothing and wearing hoods and scarves around their faces.
"The male who was armed with the knife was described as wearing a black coloured North Face jacket and dark clothing.
"Enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and police are appealing to anyone with any information to contact them on 101, quoting reference number 1564 20/05/25. You can also make a report online at https://www.psni.police.uk/report/incident, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
The mother of the young victim has also issued an appeal to the public for help recovering the family pet.
"I would be grateful if anyone with cctv could check there cameras please for any footage that could help with the ongoing investigation or any information at all," she wrote in a post shared on Facebook.
"I am grateful that my son is alive and not seriously injured. He is deeply traumatised by the whole thing and also heartbroken to have lost our family pet.
"So I'm appealing for any information in regards to anyone finding our tortoise or anyone trying to possibly sell one . I'm not confident in there being a good outcome and feel that they have harmed and disposed of Donatello.
"Any information at all we would be deeply grateful."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Brit, 73, strangled to death with his own belt in his driveway while being robbed of his mobile for 4th time in 6 months
A 73-year-old British engineer has been strangled to death with his own belt in his driveway after popping down to the pub for a beer. Retired expat Karl Lauks was said to be the 'life and soul' of his adoptive town of Tulbagh 70 miles north of Cape Town, in South Africa. 3 A retired British engineer who settled down in South Africa was ambushed in his car driveway Credit: Facebook 3 Karl Lauks, 73, was strangled to death Credit: Jamie Pyatt News Ltd 3 He was said to be the 'life and soul' of his adoptive town of Tulbagh Credit: Facebook On Sunday evening after visiting his local watering hole he went back home. But after parking his car in the drive he was attacked before he could get out from behind the wheel. Lauks was battered into submission and his leather belt taken off him. The killer is said to have used Karl's scarf to silence him by jamming it in his mouth to stop his screams. He is then believed to have wrapped the tragic man's belt around his neck and choked him to death. The cold-blooded killer took Lauks' mobile phone – the fourth one stolen from him in 6 months – the murder weapon, wallet and house keys and left him dead in the car. AC/DC enthusiast Lauks started work in Western Province over 20 years ago, but fell in love with South Africa's fourth oldest town and never returned home. He was originally from Bradford, Yorkshire. Most read in The Sun His beaten up corpse was only discovered when a neighbour saw his drive gate and car door open on Monday the next day. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Race with the angels' – Tributes pour for Irish motorcycle champion who ‘lived life at full speed' after work accident
A PASSIONATE motorcyclist who died in a tragic work accident has been remembered as "a highly respected and well liked" person. Darren O'Dwyer, from Virginia in Co 2 Darren was a motorcycling champion Credit: facebook 2 The tragic man leaves behind a partner and three kids Credit: facebook It is understood the father-of-two, who was aged in his 40s, was killed while working in Co Down. A PSNI spokesperson confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious at this time and the Heath and Safety Executive has been informed. Darren was an avid motorcyclist and was reigning Mondello Park masters and National champion. He also raced sidecars professionally for years and was a former Ulster champion. Read more in Irish news Darren leaves behind his loving partner Jamie as well as his two children Saoirse and Aaron, and his step-daughter Paige. Also mourning the Cavan man are his devastated And he is remembered by a wider circle of nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, and cousins. Tributes have been rolling for the well-liked and "highly respected" man as news of his death continues to devastate those closes to him. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Motorbike fans at And Irish Superbike Racing also remembered him. They said: "Shocked and saddened to hear of the untimely passing of Irish Sidecar champion Darren O'Dwyer. "The 2024 Masters champion sadly passed away tragically at work. "A highly respected and well liked competitor of many years in the paddock, we send our sympathies to Jamie, Saoirse, Aaron and step-daughter Paige. "Deeply regretted by his heartbroken parents Tony and Olive, brother Philip, sister Samantha , sister in-law Joanne, brother in-law Danny, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins and large circle of friends. "Rest easy and Godspeed Darren 71." 'LIVED LIFE YOUR WAY' Heartbroken mourners shared their own condolences to Darren and his devastated family. One person said: "Race with the angels." Another commented: "RIP champion, lived life your way at full speed." A third put in: "Sincere sympathy to Tony Olive and all the family on the death of your beloved son Darren. "May he rest in eternal peace. God bless you all at this sad time." And a fourth penned: "Deepest sympathy to all the O'Dwyer/ Browne families and friends of Darren R.I.P. "No words can suffice for the heavy cross you have to carry but I can assure you that everyone is praying and lighting candles to help in some small way. "May God give strength to you all."
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Teaching assistant sent naked pictures of herself to teen on Snapchat after calling him ‘good lad' in X-rated messages
A PAEDO teaching assistant sent naked photos of herself to a teen boy on Snapchat after calling him a "good lad". Chelsey Knox also asked the schoolboy, who is aged under 16, to send pictures of his privates after she began messaging him. 4 Chelsey Knox sent X-rated photos to a teen boy Credit: Facebook The mum, 33, sent him a video of herself in the shower and shared two topless photos with him. Knox then sent a picture of herself using a sex toy to the teen, She is now facing prison after pleading guilty to engaging in sexual communication with a child. The teaching assistant also admitted two counts of causing a child to watch an image of sexual activity and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Read more news Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court heard she carried out the vile offences between March 24 and April 5 last year. She first started messaging the boy in February that year but the texts were not "sexual". Rajni Prashar, prosecuting, said: "She then sent a message asking him to come to her house, and she sent a picture of a bottle of alcohol and said there was a party. 'She also sent a message saying he was a good lad and she had her legs on show, but she then sent a topless photo and a video of her in the shower and she asked him to send a picture of his penis.' Most read in The Sun Knox was bailed on the condition she signs on to the sex offenders' register. The mum, from Kent, will be sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on a date to be set. Knox previously found herself in court after she chased and attacked a woman she had followed in her car. JPs heard the victim was left with cuts to her left ear and lip, as well as severe bruising to her face. Knox was handed a suspended 24 week sentence after admitting actual bodily harm. 4 Knox began messaging the boy in February last year Credit: Instagram 4 She sent him naked photos and a video in the shower Credit: Instagram 4 Knox is now facing jail Credit: Instagram
