A 37-year-old man is in hospital after a masked man shot him in the thigh during an armed hold-up at a petrol station in Ma’ufanga early Friday morning, 4 September.

Chief Superintendent Tevita Fifita said the shooting occurred around 2-3:00am at the petrol station, situated beside the former Kinikinilau Shopping Centre.

He said a male suspect who wore a hoodie with his face covered had allegedly drove by in a car, stopped at the petrol station and demanded cash from the victim, who was the only worker at the station.

When the victim didn’t get the cash he was shot on his left thigh before the suspect fled off in the car, he said. The victim from Ma’ufanga is recovering at Vaiola Hospital.

Police have not arrested anyone relating to this crime, the second petrol station armed hold-up in Tongatapu in two weeks.

On 27 August, two masked men armed with a machete and a stick threatened a female cashier at a petrol station in Fua’amotu. Police reported the suspects fled with up to $500 cash.