A terrified fuel station attendant says he feared for his life when two men used a crowbar and a knife to threaten him before stealing money and cigarettes.
Russell Smulders, 58, who works at Liberty Fuel Station in Maryborough, was at the business about 2pm Monday when the two assailants, wearing masks to disguise their faces, came through the door.
One used the crowbar to smash the plastic barrier on the counter, which had been erected because of Covid precautions.
A CCTV video shows Mr Smulders being threatened with the crowbar while the other person raided the cabinet containing the cigarettes.
On Tuesday, Mr Smulders was back at work, but told the Fraser Coast Chronicle he was a bit shaken up.
His worried family had come in during his shift to check on him.
Mr Smulders said the person with the crowbar had threatened him a number of times, demanding money.
“I was frightened for my life, I thought the guy on top of the counter was going to kill me,” he said
He said he had never experienced anything like it before but was thankful to police for their quick response.
Two people have been charged after the incident.
After obtaining a quantity of money and items, it will be alleged the pair left the area in a vehicle reported stolen from a Point Vernon address on Saturday night.
Just after 3pm, the stolen vehicle was located on Doolong Road at Hervey Bay, and two males were taken into custody.
A 20-year-old Hervey Bay man has been charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and one count each of enter premises and commit indictable offence, possession of a knife in a public place and armed robbery.
He faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
A 17-year-old Eli Waters teen has also been charged with two counts of burglary, and one count each of attempted enter premises, armed robbery and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
He will face Hervey Bay Children’s Court.
Investigations are ongoing, and members of the public who may have witnessed or have CCTV/dashcam of this incident are asked to come forward.
Extracted from The Courier Mail