The St Francis Bay petrol station was held up by armed robbers last night at 6 pm.
The gun-toting robbers allegedly made off with the office computer as well as a cell phone and a bag belonging to one of the petrol attendants.
According to petrol attendant, Chris Joseph, he and another attendant were about to go off duty at 6 pm. They were in the office when suddenly they were taken by surprise at the appearance of two unknown men, one of whom was allegedly wielding a gun.
The men allegedly said they just wanted the money. “The robbers said if they were given the money we would not be shot,” a shocked Chris related, adding that the men acted like professional robbers.
“But we were terrified. This was such a shock. I keep reliving the incident. We feared for our lives,” Chris told St Francis Chronicle.
The gunmen then allegedly took most of the money out of the till, took the office laptop, then he allegedly nabbed Chris’ bag and put the laptop in it. The bag contained Chris’ ID document.
The robbers then allegedly ordered the two attendants into the back room and told them to lie on the floor, all the while still pointing a gun at them. The gunmen then allegedly locked the till room door with the attendants inside.
A plucky Chris managed to push the panic buttont before the men left the offices. The gunmen left on foot but they allegedly told the attendants there was a car waiting for them.
The robbers also allegedly took a jacket belonging to one of the attendants before leaving the scene.
The security company G4S arrived on the scene and according to Chris had to use a crow bar to open the back office door to free the petrol attendants as the robbers had allegedly taken the door key with them.
“There have been no arrests yet. Police are investigating,” Captain Kievit from St Francis Bay SAP said this morning.
Chas Everitt offices broken into
Also much later last night, the local Chas Everitt office was broken into shortly before midnight
Calibre security staff responded and arrested a suspect on the premises, then called the police and handed him over.
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”Yes I am sure the incident must have been a traumatic one for the petrol attendants, and they should go for councilling as soon as possible. As a suggestion, I think in this case being a business, a Armed Security Officer, if possible 2, should be placed at the petrol station, who will deter further incidents of this nature, at this petrol station and others in your area.”