Belfast man detained after police bitten by taxi driver robbery suspect

Police apprehended a 20-year-old man in connection with a series of crimes in west Belfast, including robbery and assaulting a police officer.

The arrest occurred following an incident where a taxi driver was forcefully robbed by a passenger in Glenalina Park, just before 11pm Friday 23 February.

The situation escalated when the suspect launched an attack on an officer, involving punches and attempts to bite and head-butt. The individual is currently held in police custody as investigations proceed.

Authorities are also probing a potential connection between this robbery and an attempted break-in at a building site in College Square North, reported approximately 50 minutes prior to the taxi incident. The police's inquiries are ongoing as they work to unravel the link between these two crimes.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police have arrested a 20 year old man on suspicion of robbery, assault on police and resisting police.

“The arrest followed an incident in which a taxi driver was robbed by a passenger in Glenalina Park in west Belfast shortly before 11pm last night, Friday 23 February.

“During his arrest the suspect assaulted an officer by punching him and attempting to bite and head-butt him.

“He remains in police custody at present.

“Police are investigating a possible link between this robbery and an attempted burglary at a building site in College Square North, reported at around 10.10pm.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”