A hijacking and an "extremely reckless" pipe bomb alert that both took place in Newtownards on Friday night are being investigated.
The security alert was first reported shortly before 11pm in the Ardmillan Crescent Area, where police said a pipe-bomb type device was discovered at the front of a property.
“Officers attended the scene and a cordon was put in place. A number of residents were also evacuated from their homes while ATO made the device safe," a police spokesperson said.
“The device, which has since been confirmed as viable, was successfully diffused by ATO.
“A cordon remained in place until the early hours of Saturday morning and residents who were evacuated have since been allowed to return home."
Police are working to establish a motive and the circumstances of what they have called an "extremely reckless act".
Alliance councillor Victoria Moore said the attack showed "an absolutely sickening disregard for human life".
“These thugs speak for nobody, and our community deserves so much better than this kind of disruption and mindlessly violent, threatening behavior," she said.
"This was a residential area, and whilst I’m thankful nobody was harmed, it could have so easily led to much more tragic circumstances."
The hijacking incident was reported about half an hour later and just over a mile away in the Ann Street area of the town.
A police spokesperson said that around 11.20pm, a man armed with a weapon demanded the owner of a parked car get out and hand it over along with his phone.
“The victim fled from the scene and was chased by the man with the weapon who tripped him up.
“He handed over his phone and the suspect got into the car and drove off. The vehicle was later recovered in the Clanmorris Square area of Bangor."
The police spokesperson called it "a terrifying experience" for the victim and said enquiries were at an early stage.
Anyone with relevant information on both incidents has been asked to contact police on 101, quoting references 2439 and 2365 for May 12.
Information can also be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
