Armed robbers attack service station in Gweru

TWO armed men pounced on a service station in Gweru and assaulted a fuel attendant with the butt of a gun before disappearing without taking anything after they were disturbed by an alarm raised by another alert attendant, police have said.

The incident happened on Sunday at about 7pm at Redan Service Station situated along Main Street in Gweru Central Business District.

Police said the assaulted fuel attendant sustained head injuries but the robbery was foiled.

A source at the service station who requested anonymity said on the day in question, two unidenti-fied armed men approached Redan Service Station carrying a five-litre container pretending to be customers.

The source said the two demanded that their container be filled with petrol.

"The fuel attendant declined to comply with the suspect's demand which resulted in one of the suspects producing a gun. He then started hitting the attendant on the head with the butt of the gun. Another attendant who was inside the building managed to sneak out and called for help from neighbouring shops," said the source.

The source said when the suspects realised that alarm had been raised they ran away without taking anything. The fuel attendant suffered injuries on the head as a result of the attack.

Midlands acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident.

"I can confirm that we are investigating a case of suspected armed robbery at Redan Service Station on Sunday at around 7pm. It is alleged that two men approached the service station and demanded fuel. The suspects then produced what resembled a gun and threatened to shoot the attendant at the station. The two however, did not take anything from the station and ran away. We appeal to anyone with information that may help us arrest the suspects to contact any nearest police station," said Asst Insp Mahoko.