DETECTIVES from the PSNI’s Reactive and Organised Crime Branch investigating an ‘tiger kidnapping’ and robbery at a building society in Co Derry have arrested two men.
The incident took place at the Nationwide Building Society Coleraine on January 1o.
The PSNI say the two men, aged 24 and 32, were arrested in the Bushmills area this morning.
Both men are currently helping police with their enquiries.
A building society employee was kidnapped from his Co Antrim home and forced to unlock the cash vaults at the building society office during the terrifying tiger raid.
The man from Ballybogey was bundled into his own car around and made to drive the five miles to his place of work at the Nationwide Building Society in Coleraine.
It is believed at least one family member was made to remain in the home with one of the gang members as the all-cash robbery took place.
A security source said: “The family is well-known and well respected in the area and this came like a bolt from the blue and to be targeted like this should be a warning for any keyholder of any business.
“This man is not a bank worker but he’s been an employee of the company for quite some time.
“It was undoubtedly terrifying for the man involved. He has told police he was woken from his sleep at 3am and ordered to open up the Nationwide in Coleraine.
“He was approached at his home in Ballybogey in the early hours of Monday morning and forced to get the keys to the Nationwide where he works. He was ordered not to call the police or make any sort of fuss.
“From what I understand he was forced to drive his own car and use his keys to get inside the building and use a system of codes to allow access to vaults where money is held.
“The robbers did not get what they wanted and they only got as far as the coin safe. So it’s not clear at this stage how much money they actually got away with.
“The police were contacted after the event but the man was not able to prevent the robbery. I’ve been told he feared for his own safety and the safety of his family. He has been questioned by the police.
“His employer will also offer him counselling after what he has been through.”
The man was not physically injured during the ordeal but was left deeply shocked and has been offered counselling by specialists hired by his company.
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