Paramilitaries believed to be behind an aggravated burglary in Newtownabbey may have targeted the wrong house, police have said.
A woman and two young children were sitting in the living room of the house in Fernagh Gardens at around 9.15am on Monday when two men forced their way in.
One of the men was armed with a hatchet.
One of the burglars threatened the woman before both men left the house.
The woman and children were not injured but were left badly shaken, police said.
The first man was 5' 6", of stocky build, with a tattoo on his left leg.
He was wearing a navy jacket, black shorts and a balaclava.
The second man was slightly taller than the first and had a slim build.
He was wearing a dark tracksuit and a balaclava.
Police said the burglary is believed to be linked to paramilitaries. Officers are investigating if the attack was a "case of mistaken identity", a police spokesman said.
"Paramilitary linked criminality and criminal gangs destroy people’s lives and harm our communities, they have no legitimate place in our society, and police are committed to tackling this so that communities can thrive free from coercive control or intimidation," he said.
Police asked anyone with information, or who may have dash-cam footage of Fernagh Gardens, to contact them on 101.
