An undercover police operation in the Belfast area today foiled an attempt to rob money from a security firm by taking an employee's son hostage.
Police said five men had been arrested, the hostage freed unharmed and the money recovered after a 16-hour operation.
The drama began at tea time yesterday when a house in Co Down was taken over by five armed men who abducted a man (22) and told his father, who works for a security delivery company, his son would be killed if he did not follow their instructions.
The man was forced to go to work today and, following instructions, took money - believed to be over £100,000 to a location in east Belfast. The money was transferred to a car and driven off.
The police said they had become aware of what was happening and that the hostage was released at Dunmurry, on the south western outskirts of Belfast. A number of vehicles were stopped and five men were arrested. Houses in Carryduff, Co Down, were searched and the money recovered.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan said the police operation had been a "complete success" and commended his officers for securing the release of the hostage and recovery of the money.
PA