An armed robber escaped with a sum of cash after threatening a member of staff at a shop in Botanic Avenue in south Belfast.
The incident occurred shortly after 7:20pm last night (Tuesday).
Detectives are appealing for information following the armed robbery which they believe may be linked to a similar incident at business premises on the Dublin Road.
In the first incident, a man wearing a scarf around his face armed with a sharp object entered a shop in Botanic Avenue. He threatened a man, but when the staff member refused to hand over any money he left the shop and fled.
Police are also investigating a possible link to this incident and to a report of a similar armed robbery at a business on the Dublin Road at around 7:50pm yesterday evening.
The man believed to have been involved in both incidents is described as of being of slim build, and he was wearing a dark hat, a navy hooded jumper with yellow writing, yellow stripes on the sleeve and dark navy tracksuit bottoms.
Detective Sergeant Conlan said enquiries are continuing and police are appealing to anyone who saw anything suspicious at either locations at the time of the incidents to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 1203 12/2/19.
Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.