Story By: Anastasia Smirnova, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder,Agency: Central European News 

Video Credit: CEN/MinistryOfInternalAffairs

This footage appears to show a gunman holding a petrol station cashier at gunpoint so he could rob the place but it was later revealed that the ‘victim’ had allegedly planned the whole thing.

The incident took place at a petrol station in the city of Irkutsk in the south-eastern Russian region of Irkutsk Oblast and the CCTV footage was later shared on social media.

In the clip, the 40-year-old suspect, who reportedly has a long criminal record, is seen pointing a gun at the female worker while demanding money.

He then leads the seemingly terrified woman into a backroom where he reportedly tied her up.

According to local media, she was indeed found tied up in the room by security guards there to collect the petrol station’s cash. But as he had not wiped the security tapes, the suspect was picked up by police just a few hours after the robbery.

Reports said that he cracked under questioning and told cops that he planned the robbery with the cashier, who he knew.

The woman waited until there was a substantial amount of money at the petrol station and arranged for the ‘gunman’ to arrive just before the security company arrived to collect the cash, according to reports.

Local media said the male suspect is being held in custody while the unnamed worker is not allowed to leave the country as the investigation continues.

If found guilty, he could reportedly face up to six years in jail with a fine of 80,000 RUB (990 GBP).

It is unclear whether the woman has been charged yet.

The investigation continues.

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