TWO shops in west Belfast have been damaged in a crash involving a stolen car.
The shutters and shop fronts of a bakery and chemist on Falls Road were damaged in the incident, which was reported to police shortly after 7am on Sunday.
Police said the black Ford Ecosport involved was reported stolen in a "creeper burglary" in Beechview Park a short time earlier.
Officers removed the vehicle on Sunday for further examination.
McKenzies Pharmacy proprietor Adrian Rice said repairing the premises would cost at least £15,000.
He described how the car was still protruding from the shop with its hazard lights flashing when they arrived to inspect the damage.
"The shutters and shop front have been completely destroyed. There was no attempt at robbery – it was just vandalism," he said.
"It's heartbreaking. We have only just had the place refurbished less than a year ago. It's very upsetting.
"We're not happy about it, but the one thing you can say about it is that nobody has been hurt."
Mr Rice (62), from Belfast, said the repairs could take about a week but they planned to reopen the chemist today despite the damage.
Jim O' Connor, owner of O'Connors Bakery, said several thousand pounds worth of damage was caused to his family-run business.
"My shutter was dented but not that much, but when we went inside it was completely different. The window and wall was dented and completely wrecked," the 56-year-old from west Belfast said.
"Me and the wife were in the car and went on down to leave stuff in and saw the shutter was all dented, and then we went in and saw the rubble."
Police appealed for anyone with information to contact officers at Woodbourne Police Station on 101 or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
