A man has been arrested by the PSNI in connection with a “sinister” aggravated burglary in Newcastle, Co Down, in which a woman alleged a masked man threatened to shoot her in her own home.
Police said the woman was in the living room of her Burrendale Park home at around 1.45am on Sunday with her teenage daughter and sleeping baby granddaughter, when two men came in through the front door.
“One of the men, wearing a balaclava and carrying what appeared to be a weapon covered by a white bag or pillowcase, put the muzzle to her chest while demanding money,” said the PSNI.
“The injured party claims she was then grabbed by the hair and thrown onto the sofa while threats were made to shoot.”
Police said no money was reported stolen and the men left the address in the direction of the Dundrum Road.
A 33-year-old man was later arrested in connection with the investigation.
He remained in custody at lunchtime on Sunday.
Detective Inspector Winters said: “Our investigation is underway and we are appealing to anyone with information to call us on 101, quoting reference number 109 14/01/24.”
South Down SDLP MLA Colin McGrath told the Irish News: “This will have been a terrifying ordeal for this woman and her family.
“The fact that a teenager and a baby were in the house at the time of the break-in makes it all the more disturbing.
“The whole community in Newcastle will be horrified by such a sinister incident taking place, and I would urge anyone with information or who can assist the investigation in any way to contact police.”