Three men armed with knives held up a delivery truck in a brazen, violent daylight robbery at Best Buy Supermarket in Vailoa, Faleata, last Friday.
A police search is underway for the three suspects.
The Samoa Observer reports that the men assaulted the driver of a delivery truck belonging to Uncle Johnny’s Ice Cream before escaping with a bag containing the day’s delivery takings.
A supermarket employee told the newspaper that when the victim attempted to chase the robbers, one slashed his arm with a knife, inflicting minor injuries.
“It all happened so fast; one minute, Uncle Johnny’s employee was doing his receipts, and the next, there was shouting and blood everywhere.”
Surveillance footage captured one assailant with his face partially concealed by a cloth, assaulting the driver before snatching the bag containing the day’s earnings.
Police Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo stated that police are scouring the area for additional security footage and interviewing residents who may have seen the fleeing men.
The exact amount stolen has not been disclosed, but police confirmed it was a significant sum.
Uncle Johnny’s Ice Cream declined to discuss the incident in detail but issued a brief statement confirming their employee is recovering.
The attack has sparked concerns among local business owners, with many calling for increased police patrols.
