A MANHUNT is continuing following a "shocking" armed robbery at a Hardgate filling station.

Staff were threatened by one robber wielding a weapon as the other duped the shop assistant into opening the till by paying for an item.

The duo escaped with hundreds of pounds from Old Mill Garage, Glasgow Road, on Sunday at around 8.55pm.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses and assistance from the public to trace the robbers.

DC David Lavery,  from Clydebank CID, told the Post: "We are working on forensics with items that were touched when the robbers were in the shop. From the CCTV, we have two very positive and distinctive images. 

"The staff were left very shaken and were terrified when we arrived. It's a callous, shocking robbery, carried out almost in day light when a lot of members of the public were around."

It is understood the weapon was not a firearm although detectives have not revealed what it was. Nobody was injured during the  incident but the police are treating it seriously.

The first man is described as being white-skinned, six feet tall and in his late 20s, and with short black hair and stubble. He was wearing sunglasses, a blue hooded top with a white zip tie strings, black trousers, black trainers with white laces and white shoes.

The second crook is described as being around 5ft 8in tall, also in his late 20s, with brown crew-cut hair style, closely shaved in at the sides. He was wearing a black hoody with a white zip and tie strings, dark trousers and dark trainers.

Clydebank Post:
Hardgate Roundabout — the crooks fled in this direction

A police helicopter was circling the area on Sunday night as the search kicked off — with the official appeal was launched on Monday afternoon.
DC Laverty added: “The two men were seen running from the premises towards Hardgate Roundabout and enquiries are continuing to establish where they went from there.

“I would appeal to anyone who saw men matching the descriptions acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the incident to get in touch.

“Anyone with information can contact officers at Clydebank CID on 101. Alternatively you can call CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence.”

Old Mill Garage declined to comment or reveal details of what happened on Sunday night when asked.

Were you at the garage? Contact us on 0141 435 8868.