Police foil armed robbery in Masindi

What should have been a quiet midnight shift at a fuel station in Masindi turned into a struggle for survival when two armed men allegedly confronted a security guard and attempted to rob the premises.
The robbery was foiled after a police patrol team responded to the scene, arresting one suspect and recovering a pump-action shotgun, a knife and the motorcycle allegedly used in the attack.
The incident happened at about midnight at Gaz Petro Station in Central Division, Masindi Municipality, Masindi District, according to the Uganda Police Force, spokesman.
Rusoke Kituuma said the two suspects were travelling on a motorcycle, registration number UGG 529P, when they allegedly approached the security guard deployed at the station.
Investigators believe the suspects initially tried to persuade the guard to reposition their motorcycle, apparently creating an opportunity to attack him.
The situation escalated when the men allegedly held the guard at gunpoint and attempted to overpower and disarm him.
A struggle followed, during which the guard was injured as he resisted the attackers, police said.
A nearby police patrol team arrived shortly afterwards and intervened, preventing the suspected robbery from being carried out.
One of the suspects, identified by police as 43-year-old Ronald Odoma, was arrested at the scene.
Officers also recovered a pump-action firearm, a knife and the motorcycle, which police said was allegedly used in the attempted robbery.
The second suspect escaped and remains at large, prompting police to launch efforts to identify and arrest him.
The injured security guard was rescued and is receiving attention, according to police.
The incident is now under investigation, with police seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding the attempted robbery and the identities and possible activities of those involved.
Police commended the guard for resisting the attack and the officers who responded to the scene, while urging security guards, business owners and members of the public to remain alert and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.