Police investigating frightening Port Wakefield servo robbery, with suspects on the run

Police have released CCTV footage of one of three masked men who bound servo workers with cable ties during a frightening armed robbery.

Police continue to search for three men, one armed with a crowbar, who held up a petrol station and tied up staff members before stealing cigarettes and cash on Wednesday.

CCTV vision of one of the suspects has been released following the incident on Port Wakefield Hwy about 1am.

The suspects tied up the staff members with cable ties, before attempting to break into the safe with a concrete cutter.

One of the suspects stole cash and cigarettes.

Members of the public arrived at the service station about an hour later and disturbed the suspects.

DEVELOPING: Three masked men who tied up service station workers during a terrifying robbery at Port Wakefield remain on the run. The armed thieves used a concrete cutter to try and open the safe. Details in 7NEWS Adelaide at 6pm. @pcaldicott7#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/MLfdmMGy9d

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) September 13, 2023

Port Wakefield Rising Sun Hotel publican Bek Stodart said she heard the person who came to staff’s assistance was a local.

“He walked into the store at that time to distract them which obviously made them run off which is is great,” she said.

“Whether they had any intentions to hurt them or not, it’s still a scary experience, obviously for those involved.”

CCTV of Port Wakefield robbery suspect Picture: SA Police

She said there were reports the vehicle had travelled up Edward St past the hotel.

“There’s loads of people up and about in this town early in the morning, so I’m not surprised someone saw something like that,” she said.

“We were warned of a similar situation years ago, but thankfully the people were actually caught before it happened.”

She said she hoped these offenders would also be caught.

“People just want to go to work and get the job done and not have to worry about their own safety,” she said.

Port Wakefield Motors owner Ralph Todino said theft was a problem in the town.

“I had my car broken into three days ago and stuff stolen,” he said.

“That’s just small-scale stuff though, not like what happened last night, that’s really big scale.”

He said he was completely shocked by what happened to the service station staff.

“As far as I know the suspects had machinery ready to go and the fact they tied up the boys like that is horrible. Speaking to others in the town they weren’t injured, which is good,” he said.

“I was just shocked when I found out this morning.”

He said there were always plenty of police in the “truck-stop town”.

“It’s not their fault, you just can’t trust anyone,” he said.

“What am I meant to do here, build a big fence around my property?”

John Clifton lives directly opposite the service station, but said he only became aware of the incident this morning.

“My uncle and I had a few beers last night then I went to bed so I had no idea until I saw the news,” he said.

“This kind of stuff rarely happens here, it’s a pretty laid back place.”

Martin, who lives nearby, said he feared for his partner’s safety after hearing of the robbery.

“She also works in a service station in town, so of course it’s a bit scary,” he said.

“We’ve got a young child, so I’m a bit worried for their safety.”

He said the servo was an easy target with renovations going on.

“Add to that the fact it’s a pass-through town,” he said.

The male suspects fled the scene through the back of the building and were seen driving off in a gun metal gray-coloured Holden Statesman sedan.

The vehicle was seen heading south on Port Wakefield Hwy.

Police appealed for any motorists travelling in the area early Wednesday morning with dashcam footage to contact them.

Police searched the area but were unable to find the suspects, who were wearing dark jumpers and pants with dark cloth face coverings but when they entered the store the men put on high vis vests.

Crime scene investigators attended the scene.

Police are urging anyone with information that may assist the investigation to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.