A sword was used in two late night robbery bids in Co Down, police have said.
Shortly before 10.20pm on Monday a man brandishing a sword entered a food outlet on Commons Road in Ballykinler and threatened staff.
He was chased by staff and made off empty-handed.
Less than an hour later a man carrying a sword held up a service station on the Newcastle Road in Castlewellan, threatening staff before making off with a number of scratch cards.
Ten minutes before this incident, police received a report of a male acting suspiciously close to an off-sales in the Lower Square in Castlewellan.
Police have arrested a 23-year-old woman and two men, aged 18 and 20, on suspicion of robbery and attempted robbery.
Detectives have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.