Bandits leave gun, car after gas station robbery

Three suspects in a gas station robbery in St Augustine had to leave their gun and getaway car behind as police chased them after a shoot-out.

Around midnight on August 8, an employee at the Unipet gas station in St Augustine was at the cash register when two men came into the store and announced a robbery.

The bandits then stole bottles of alcohol and approximately $8,000 in cash. They also robbed the security guard, taking his Samsung cellphone, and robbed a customer of $400 cash.

Members of the public who saw what was happening reported the robbery to the police, who arrived in time to see the men leaving the store.

On seeing the police, one bandit pointed a gun at them and fired several shots.

Police shot back but the men got into a silver Nissan Tiida and drove away.

Police followed them to Railway Road, Tunapuna near the Tunapuna Market, where the men got out of the car and escaped. Police searched the car and found a quantity of cigarettes, and almost $3,000 in cash.

Investigating officers discovered the car, which was stolen, had false licence plates.

Police at the scene of the robbery also found three cellphones, a gun and 17 rounds of 9mm ammunition.