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Man slashed with machete in west Belfast burglary. Man slashed with machete in west Belfast burglary.
(about 4 hours later)
A man in his 20s was slashed with a machete in a burglary in west Belfast. A man in his 20s has been slashed with a machete in a west Belfast burglary.
Three men wielding knives and a baseball bat broke into the man's apartment at Ladybrook Cross at 20:00 GMT on Friday.Three men wielding knives and a baseball bat broke into the man's apartment at Ladybrook Cross at 20:00 GMT on Friday.
The homeowner and a friend who was visiting were both tied up. The man was slashed in the leg. The burglars stole cash, car keys and the house keys.The homeowner and a friend who was visiting were both tied up. The man was slashed in the leg. The burglars stole cash, car keys and the house keys.
In a separate burglary in Lisburn, a gang of five men, one wielding a crowbar, threatened two pensioners.In a separate burglary in Lisburn, a gang of five men, one wielding a crowbar, threatened two pensioners.
The gang got into the house in the Woodburn area at about 21:45 GMT on Friday.The gang got into the house in the Woodburn area at about 21:45 GMT on Friday.
The couple - a 70-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman - were told to sit down and cooperate while the house was searched.The couple - a 70-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman - were told to sit down and cooperate while the house was searched.
A kitchen knife which the woman was holding was taken.A kitchen knife which the woman was holding was taken.
'Terrifying'
The gang made their escape in a dark-coloured car. No-one was injured.The gang made their escape in a dark-coloured car. No-one was injured.
The elderly occupant said he had never experienced anything like it in his 47 years living in the house, saying it was "terrifying".
"I told them, 'There's no money in this house, if you want anything take it and get out'," he said.
He said his wife took an asthma attack and he had "to plead" with one of the intruders to give her a drink of water and an inhaler.
Sinn Fein councillor for the Upper Falls area, Matthew Garrett, described the attack in Ladybrook Cross as "sinister".Sinn Fein councillor for the Upper Falls area, Matthew Garrett, described the attack in Ladybrook Cross as "sinister".
"My immediate reaction is one of shock. It is a quiet area with a lot of families who just work and get on with their daily lives," he said."My immediate reaction is one of shock. It is a quiet area with a lot of families who just work and get on with their daily lives," he said.
"It is sinister that they (the thieves) are prepared to use violence simply to get cars."It is sinister that they (the thieves) are prepared to use violence simply to get cars.
"In the Upper Falls there has been an increase in burglaries, but these are generally creeper burglaries. This is more sinister.""In the Upper Falls there has been an increase in burglaries, but these are generally creeper burglaries. This is more sinister."
Mr Garrett said he would be requesting an urgent meeting with the district commander of the police to try and tackle the issue.Mr Garrett said he would be requesting an urgent meeting with the district commander of the police to try and tackle the issue.
Two attempted armed robberies
There were also two attempted armed robberies in Aughnacloy on Friday night.
A masked man with a shovel entered a commercial premises on the Caledon Road at about 20:30 GMT, but was chased away by employees.
Two hours later, two masked men tried and failed to gain entry to a closed shop in the Bellanaleck area.
The same car is believed to have been used in both attempts.