Menwearing balaclavasraidwellknownpetrolstation

September 2008

STAFF at a petrol station were left in shock following an armed robbery at their place of work on Sunday night.

The terrifying raid took place at the Tesco Petrol Station on the Wexford Road in Arklow around 9.20 p.m. when two men wearing balaclavas entered the store and demanded cash. One of the intruders who wielded a knife jumped over the counter and cleared out the cash registers while his accomplice wedged the electronic door open with what has been described as the handle of an axe to ensure they would not be locked in.

Two female staff members and a number of customers were left frightened but unharmed. It is estimated that the incident could have been over in under a minute after which the robbers fled on foot with an amount of cash to the estimated value of €1,500 to €2,000.

The scene was attended by Arklow Gardaí and it is understood an investigation is currently underway. CCTV footage is being examined as part of this. It is not known at this stage if the raiders are believed to be local or not. This is the latest armed robbery in the region following a violent raid on a Tinahely supermarket.