CRIMINAL LOCKED IN SERVO AFTER BOTCHED ROBBERY
POLICE have released CCTV footage of a bumbling armed robbery of the Metro Fuels Service Station.
The vision shows a young man who police suspect is aged 17-21 walking into the store and demanding cash.
In one hand he is holding a small yellow kitchen knife, while in the other he has his phone camera facing the cashier in an apparent attempt to film the robbery.
After a few seconds, the cashier hands over a small amount of money then the thief grabs a few Kit Kats and tries to flee.
But his escape doesn’t go to plan, and he is locked in the store.
He kicks the glass door a few times before it is unlocked and he runs from the scene.
Detective Senior Sergeant Paul McCusker said the man fled across James Street and into the Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre carpark.
Police released the footage in the hope of identifying the offender, and Sgt McCusker asked anyone with dashcam footage or who might have seen a suspicious man in the area to come forward.
“Anyone who saw him is encouraged to phone Crime Stoppers,” Sgt McCusker said.
This is the second time the business has been robbed in the past four months.
In April, a man walked into the store, asked for cigarettes and while the cashier was distracted he produced what looked like a shotgun and demanded money.
Police are also investigating an attempted armed robbery at a Mount Lofty home that occurred about 10 hours prior to the fuel station hold-up.
Sgt McCusker said the resident had disturbed an intruder in their Harvey Street home about 3pm on Saturday.
Again the offender was armed with a knife.
“The male attempted to steal a vehicle but was unsuccessful,” he said.
No one was injured in either incident.
If you have footage or information that would aid investigators, phone Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.