Mombasa police kill three suspected robbers

Mombasa, Kenya: Police Wednesday gunned down three armed gangsters in a botched robbery attempt at a petrol station in Changamwe.

Mombasa County Deputy Police Commander, Mr Sevelino Kubai, said the three thugs were invading Shell petrol station along Airport road when they were ambushed by Flying Squad officers.

Two AK 47 riffles, 62 rounds of ammunition and two rucksacks were recovered from the slain robbers.

Police said they cornered the thugs as they entered the petrol station. They engaged the officers in a shoot out.

According to Deputy Commander, the three pretended that their vehicle, a Toyota Vista had run out of fuel and were trying to refuel when two suspects removed guns from their rucksacks.

Kubai said the three had been on police radar following attacks which has seen at least two tourists shot dead by unknown assailants in Mombasa County.

The county commander said the three were part of the gang that had been terrorising residents. Attendants at the station said the gang came pushing their car and asked for a filling of Sh500.

"Two of them pretended they were inspecting the tyres and suddenly started shooting but the police were quick to respond," said Peninah Msango, an attendant at the station.