POLICE arrested and charged a man in connection with the Menstrie petrol station robbery following a large-scale operation in Clackmannan last Friday (30 January).

Several officers and at least eight vehicles were deployed in the sleepy village and the Advertiser understands armed cops were also in attendance when Mark Adair (32) was taken into custody around 10am near Woodside Terrace.

He was later charged in relation to the terrifying raid of the Jet petrol station services just before the New Year.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Following a pre-planned police operation in Clackmannan [on Friday morning], a 32-year-old man has been arrested and charged for the robbery at the Jet Garage in Menstrie.” Officers blocked off Erskine Place, which runs to Woodside Terrace, to cars and pedestrians and bystanders said residents were asked to stay indoors.

Several police vehicles were on standby near the junction at the Tower Hotel with an additional van towards the Marywood roundabout near the entrance to the woods.

Mr Adair appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court on Monday (2 February) from custody.

He was charged with robbery and made no plea or declaration. The case was committed for further examination and the accused was remanded in custody. He is due to appear again for a full committal next week.

As the Advertiser reported in December, an armed robber made off with a sum of cash after staging the raid, which left a member of staff shaken, but unharmed. The incident happened at around 10pm on Sunday (28 December).