Jeff Heuchert
Staff Reporter

Police continue to investigate a robbery at the GOCO gas bar on Highway 7.

According to Perth County OPP, shortly before 7 p.m. on Friday, two men entered the gas bar and demanded money. The employee, who was working alone, handed over a small amount of cash to the men, who fled on foot south along the highway. The robbers never showed a weapon.

“We’re just glad the young man wasn’t hurt,” GOCO part-owner Charlie Hammond told the Gazette Monday, adding the teenage employee, who he asked not be named, acted appropriately by handing over the money without escalating the situation.  

“He did as he was trained to do – not get in conflict with the robbers, give them as much cooperation as you can give them without being offensive. We certainly don’t want to put our kids in jeopardy.”

Police, with the assistance of the OPP Western Region Canine Unit, unsuccessfully searched the area following the robbery.  

As far as Hammond can recall, this was the most brazen robbery at the gas bar; in the past the most that’s happened is people distracting an employee and taking cash out of the register, he said.

“This was certainly a little more scary.”

Both suspects were caucasian and appeared to be in their early 20s.

One was described as six foot, with an average build. He had bushy eyebrows, was wearing a black toque, a gray hoodie and blue jeans. The other was described as 5’10” with a heavier build. He was wearing a black toque, a green hoodie and blue jeans.
Perth County OPP officers with the assistance of the OPP Western Region Canine Unit searched the area for the suspects with negative results.  

The Perth County OPP is continuing their investigation into this incident.