The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

DO you recognise this man? If so, you could help police catch a brazen robber who burst into a West Bay Street gas station armed with a gun.

Police want to question the man in this photo, a still frame from the station's CCTV cameras, about an armed robbery that took place almost two weeks ago at the Texaco-Wells Service Station.

According to a relative of the station's owner, who wished to remain anonymous, the incident took place just before 3pm on Wednesday, December 28, 2011.

The gunman, who looked to be in his early 20s, made off with an undetermined amount of cash.

The source turned over the photos and full video of the robbery (which can be seen on tribune242.com) to The Tribune as they had yet to "hear anything from police."

He said: "We just want to catch him. Since it happened, we have not heard a thing from police, we don't know if they caught anyone or what they are doing."

The video shows the robber, dressed in a grey sweatshirt and sweat pants, posing as an unassuming customer.

After selecting a drink from the cooler, he made his way to the check-out counter, where he waited for the cashier to serve gas attendants outside.

As the cashier picked up his drink to ring it up, the robber pulled out a silver coloured hand gun and a bag.

The cashier is then seen giving money to the gunman, who makes his exit.

Senior officers could not provide an update on their investigation or explain why the matter was never reported to the press for publication.

However, a police source said no one has been taken into custody in connection with the incident, and investigators want to question the man in this series of photos.

Anyone who recognises him, or has information concerning his whereabouts, should call 919, 322-3333, the Central Detective Unit on 502-9910 and 502-9991, or Crime Stoppers on 328-TIPS.

Meanwhile, police are also investigating the shooting and armed robbery of a phone card vendor.

Shortly after midnight last night, the 31-year-old vendor was approached by a gunman moments after arriving at his home on Alocasia Avenue, North of Soldier Road and East Street.

Police say the victim was robbed of his cell phone and an undetermined number of phone cards.

The robber then shot the vendor in his upper body.

The victim was taken by ambulance to hospital where he is in stable condition.

• Watch the video of the robbery on www.tribune242.com.