A hijacked pizza delivery vehicle and a timely alert by the driver prompted searches, a controlled explosion and arrests in the Lurgan area
The episode began when a pizza delivery car was seized in the Kilwilkie estate in Lurgan and a device was hidden inside the vehicle on the night of Monday 30 March. The driver was threatened at gunpoint and instructed to take the van and the suspicious item to the holding area of Lurgan PSNI station.
Rather than comply, the driver managed to disengage from the attackers, flee the scene and notify the authorities. That call triggered a security response involving evacuations and specialist teams.
Once alerted, officers established a cordon and evacuated roughly 100 homes in the nearby area while bomb disposal experts were brought in to assess the threat.
The team carried out a controlled explosion on the vehicle after confirming the presence of an incendiary device, minimizing risk to the public and property. The combination of the driver’s escape, the swift alert to police and the measured response by specialist units prevented the device from being used to cause harm.
Investigation and arrests
Police continued inquiries in the days that followed and conducted searches across the local area. On Wednesday morning, 6th May, two males — a 15-year-old and a 48-year-old — were detained under the Terrorism Act. A short time later, a 39-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, obstructing police and assisting an offender. All three arrests were made in the Lurgan locality as investigators tried to piece together the chain of events and establish responsibility for the plot.
Legal status and immediate outcome
By Wednesday evening the two males remained in custody while the woman faced charges for one allegation and was released unconditionally in respect of the others. Specifically, she was charged with obstructing the police but released without further charge for perverting the course of justice and assisting an offender. She is due to appear at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on June 3. Police work is ongoing, with multiple searches continuing in the wider Lurgan area as investigators gather evidence and prepare files for potential prosecution.
Community impact and response
The incident had an immediate effect on residents in the Kilwilkie estate and surrounding streets; families were moved from their homes while officers swept the scene and specialists neutralised the threat. Local people described a tense atmosphere as emergency services coordinated the response and provided reassurance. The precautionary evacuation of approximately 100 homes was designed to prioritize safety while allowing the technicians to carry out necessary procedures. The controlled detonation helped ensure the area could be declared safe without placing the public or first responders at undue risk.
Police statement and public appeal
A PSNI spokesperson described the episode as a “cowardly and widely condemned attack” that placed innocent people in danger and reiterated the force’s commitment to pursuing those responsible. The statement mentioned the timing of the original incident — the night of Monday 30 March — and urged anyone with information to contact officers to help move the investigation forward. The appeal underscores how valuable public tips can be when piecing together rapidly evolving criminal inquiries.
Next steps in the investigation
Investigators have signalled that searches and analysis will continue until they are satisfied all leads have been exhausted. Forensic teams, surveillance reviews and witness statements are all likely to form part of the ongoing work, as prosecutors and police assess potential charges and prepare cases. The use of the Terrorism Act in the arrests highlights the serious nature of the alleged offences and the priority being given to bringing any suspects to justice while keeping the community informed and protected.
