Petrol station worker foiled armed robber by refusing to give him cash
AN ARMED robbery at a petrol station was foiled after a member of staff refused to hand cash over.
The 57-year-old woman stood up to a balaclava-clad man who tried to rob the BP Service Station on Eastwoodmains Road in Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, despite being alone in the store and the suspect apparently having a firearm.
Police said the would-be robber demanded money from the till at around 6.10am on Friday but fled after she refused and told him to get out.
The woman was unhurt in the incident.
Detectives have appealed for help to trace the 6ft tall suspect, who headed in the direction of Clarkston Toll wearing dark clothing.
The balaclava had one hole for him to see out of.
Police Scotland Detective Constable David Henry said: “Our inquiries are under way to trace this man and hold him to account for his actions.
“No-one should be placed in a state of fear or alarm as they go about their daily lives. We’ve conducted door-todoor inquiries and continue to assess CCTV to determine his direction of travel following the incident.”
The inquiry team want to hear from a man in a silver BMW who stopped at the service station shortly after the incident.
Mr Henry added: “I would ask anyone with any information to get in contact.
“You may have seen a man in dark clothing running towards Clarkston toll on Friday morning as you drove to work.
“You may not think the information you have is much, but as part of our broader investigation, it could really make all the difference.”
Meanwhile, two staff at a newsagent were left shocked but uninjured after their shop was robbed by a man wielding a knife and wearing a Batman-style “Joker” mask.
The RS McColl at West Doura Court in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, was targeted at around 9.50pm on Friday.
Police said the suspect first threatened the staff with a knife before then making off in the direction of a local park.