AN ARMED robber held up a St Martin’s petrol station yesterday. He threatened the female attendant with a knife before escaping empty-handed in a stolen car.

The attempted robbery took place at the garage shop adjoining Marks and Spencer’s Simply Food store at Les Merriennes at 4.30pm.

The man is described as being about 20 years of age, slim and wearing a grey hoodie under a black jacket.

The grey Ford Fiesta he was driving, registration number 31031, was stolen from the Odeon car park between 10 and 11.30pm on Saturday.

The vehicle has a broken window and contains a car seat that is of French manufacture.

Inspector Terry Coule said the garage and shop were busy at the time and urged anyone who knew anything of the attempted robbery to contact Guernsey police.

‘We have not found the stolen car yet and would welcome any information,’ he said.

‘We would particularly like to speak with youths who were skateboarding in the area of the Odeon car park on Saturday evening.’

The petrol station was cordoned off and a forensic examination of the crime scene was under way by 6.45pm.

The shop is owned by businessman and former deputy Jeff Kitts, but is leased to and managed by the Creasey’s retail group.

Director Peter Creasey said that CCTV at the premises should hopefully bring the man to justice.

Speaking two hours after the incident, he said he had no idea his premises had been the target of an attempted armed robbery.

‘This is news to me – I’m absolutely shocked,’ he said.

‘I can’t really say much because I didn’t know anything about it, but I’m disappointed – particularly as a dangerous weapon was involved.

‘You’d think Guernsey was protected from these sorts of things, but nothing surprises me in this day and age.

‘Fortunately my employees are trained in how to react in these situations, but it is absolutely awful.’

Staff working next door in Simply Food said they knew nothing about the attempted robbery.

Former St John Ambulance chief officer Mike Dene, 77, lives next door to the petrol station.

The former deputy said he became aware something unusual was going on only after a police car rushed to the scene.

‘I was at home at the time, but the first I heard of it was when a police car came screaming down the road,’ he said.

‘It’s not every day something terrible like this happens, but then again, it isn’t the first time either.’

* The investigation is continuing and anyone with information should contact CID on 725111 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.