DETECTIVES are quizzing three men after an armed gang went on the rampage at the weekend.

They attempted to hijack two cars and break into another.

Officers were called to Wellington Street, Farnworth, at 9.20pm on Sunday after reports that a 37-year-old man, sitting inside a car, was being threatened with a gun by a member of a gang.

They had gone up to his car while it was parked in the street.

But the men ran off and police carried out a search of the area.

Ten minutes later, two women were confronted by what is thought to have been the same gang who were still brandishing the gun.

They tried to drag a 45-year-old woman, along with her 34-year-old friend, from a car parked outside a house on Dyson Close.

The gang were again unsuccessful and fled the scene.

The two women escaped unhurt but were left distressed .

One of the women suffered a panic attack and an ambulance was called.

A police helicopter was brought in as officers continued to hunt the men.

Ten minutes later, a witness reported seeing two men, one wielding a baseball bat, trying to break into a white Cavalier near Paisley Park.

Three men were later arrested near Farnworth open-air market.

They were still being questioned today.

Detectives are also investigating an incident the day before when a gang attempted to rob a Costcutters store, at Kearsley Mount, Kearsley.

Detective Inspector Chris Makin said: "This must have been a terrifying experience for the victims involved in these crimes and a comprehensive investigation will take place over the next few days."