Armed robbers target Lisburn shop, ram police cars in high-speed pursuit before fleeing across border

An extensive cross-border police operation is underway following a dramatic crime spree that began with an armed robbery in Lisburn and culminated in multiple police vehicles being rammed in Portadown and Newry before the suspects escaped across the border.

The incident began on Sunday, 8th March 2026, when armed men entered a commercial premises in the Lisburn area. Threatening staff with weapons, the culprits made off with a sum of cash and valuables, fleeing the scene in a getaway vehicle. Alerted to the escape route, officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) spotted the vehicle and attempted to intercept it.

In a desperate bid to evade capture, the suspects rammed a police patrol car in Portadown. The pursuit continued southwards towards Newry, where the suspects rammed another police vehicle, causing significant damage and putting officers' lives at risk. The pursuit ended near the border, where the vehicle crossed into the Republic of Ireland, prompting immediate contact between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána.

PSNI Superintendent described the incident as a reckless display of violence: "Our officers put their lives on the line daily to protect the public. The actions of these criminals, including the deliberate ramming of police vehicles in multiple locations, show a complete disregard for human life and the safety of road users. We are cooperating closely with our colleagues in An Garda Síochána to locate these individuals."

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of a dark-coloured saloon vehicle driving erratically on the motorway or in the Portadown and Newry areas between the time of the robbery and the border crossing to come forward immediately.