Two seized after betting shop raid next door to Garda station

A pair of suspected armed robbers didn't judge the odds well yesterday when they chose a bookies directly next door to a Garda…

A pair of suspected armed robbers didn't judge the odds well yesterday when they chose a bookies directly next door to a Garda station.

The Derry pair, both in their 20s, were in custody last night following the raid on the B&T bookmakers, Muff, Co Donegal.

The incident began when one of the raiders, believed to have been armed with a handgun, entered the betting shop, next door to Muff Garda station, at 12.20pm.

He allegedly threatened the manageress with the firearm and ordered a male customer out the back of the premises.

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His accomplice was waiting outside the betting shop on a motorcycle.

Buncrana Garda Supt Vincent O'Brien said the local patrol car happened to be passing the premises on the village's only street when the two men were making their getaway.

The motorcycle sped off towards Burnfoot with gardaí in pursuit. After a distance of about two miles, the motorcycle did a U-turn and collided with the oncoming patrol car, according to gardaí.

One man was arrested at the scene and taken to Letterkenny General Hospital with a suspected broken leg.

The other attempted to escape through fields but was caught soon after. A small sum of money was recovered at the scene.

The men, who it is understood are known to police in Derry, were being held last night under the Offences Against the State Act.