Officers from the North Central Division are searching for two men who allegedly robbed a gas station in St. Augustine on Thursday.

According to a police report, the men entered the building armed, pointed the gun at the cashier and demanded that he hand over the cash. The cashier became frightened and handed over about $8,000 from the register. The suspects also took several bottles of alcoholic beverages.

The security guard on duty had his cell phone confiscated and a customer at the store was also robbed of $400.

Police were notified of a robbery in progress and officers from the North Central Emergency Response Patrol Unit responded. Upon arrival, officers observed the suspects exiting the store. One of the suspects pointed a handgun at the officers and allegedly fired several shots in their direction.

The officers, concerned for their safety and that of their colleagues, returned fire. The suspects got into a silver Nissan Tiida and fled westbound. The officers gave chase which took them to Railway Road in Tunapuna near Tunapuna Market where the suspects got out of the vehicle and ran off southbound, disappearing into the crowd.

Forensic investigators examined the crime scene and seized a quantity of cigarettes as well as a black Beretta pistol with a magazine and 17 rounds of live 9 mm ammunition.

It was later discovered that the vehicle had fake license plates. The vehicle was searched and a total of $2,900 was seized. The vehicle was later impounded and taken to the station for processing.