Gang of 4 tries to rob petrol station, fires at employee
Chennai   04-Jan-2011

The police are on the lookout for four youths who allegedly attempted to rob a retail fuel outlet in Irungattukottai and shot at an employee there on Sunday night. The employee, 28 years old, who suffered bullet injury on his hip, was admitted to a private hospital, is said to be out of danger.

According to police, the incident happened at the fuel outlet attached with IndianOil on Chennai-Bangalore highway around 11.30pm. The four youth who came on two motorcycles first wanted the outlet attendants to fill petrol to their vehicles. But they suddenly got into a quarrel with the employees and tried to snatch their cash bags. They even started throwing stones at the staff when one employee, Arularasan, attempted to prevent them. Immediately, one of the youths took out a gun and shot at Arularasan and later all the four escaped from the scene.

Police said though they had registered a case of attempted robbery based on the complaint given by the employees, it was not clear whether it was indeed an attempt to rob.

"We are inquiring into different angles as to whether there was any previous enmity between the youth and the employees. It was raining heavily in Irungattukottai and there was a power cut at the fuel outlet when the incident had happened. Arularasan who suffered injuries will take one or two days to speak. Things will be clear once we question him," a senior police officer said.