Hero honoured for foiling robber
An "incredibly brave" Staffordshire man who foiled a robbery at a petrol station has received a national honour. An "incredibly brave" Staffordshire man who foiled a robbery at a petrol station has received a national honour. Mario Martin has received a medal from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) for his brave actions in preventing a robbery at the Texaco petrol station in Penkridge. Staffordshire Police chief constable David Swift nominated Mr Martin, of Stafford, after his actions led to the capture of the offender, who was jailed for six-and-a-half years. Money and a purse, which had been stolen earlier that day in a street robbery, were also recovered following the arrest on August 26, 2005. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Mario Martin has received a medal from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) for his brave actions in preventing a robbery at the Texaco petrol station in Penkridge.
Staffordshire Police chief constable David Swift nominated Mr Martin, of Stafford, after his actions led to the capture of the offender, who was jailed for six-and-a-half years.
Money and a purse, which had been stolen earlier that day in a street robbery, were also recovered following the arrest on August 26, 2005.
Staffordshire Police spokeswoman, Carol Evans, said the robber had started a spree of robberies when he stole a woman's purse as she walked away from the Barclays cash machine in Penkridge village centre.
He then drove away and pulled on to the forecourt of the Texaco garage in Wolverhampton Road where Mr Martin saw the offender leave the shop after stealing £50 from the till and the sales assistant shouting for help.
She said: "The offender punched Mr Martin in the face when he tried to grab the car keys. As the car was being driven off, Mr Martin somehow managed to get the keys and there was a violent struggle between the two men.
"The offender then tried to hot-wire the ignition but then left after Mr Martin pushed the driver's door the wrong way to prevent it from closing.
"The robber then came back and forced a 61-year-old woman out of her car, pushing her into bushes. He got in and locked the car from the inside.
"Seeing what had happened, Mr Martin went and cracked the windscreen with his hand to prevent the offender seeing through it. As he tried to drive off police officers arrived.
"Mr Martin showed an extraordinary level of determination and incredible bravery."
Last October Mr Martin received a Chief Constable's Commendation for his intervention.
