Robbers beat, tie-up, and gag Springfield gas station clerk

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A clerk at a convenience store was found bound and gagged Saturday morning.

Investigators say two men walked into the Gas Plus on West Chestnut near College Street, and hid inside a restroom.   The attendant was outside at the time pumping fuel for a customer.

When the clerk came back inside, the two suspects said they had a gun and demanded cash.  When the clerk refused to comply, one of the robbers punched him.  Both suspects then drug the employee into a back room where they tied him up and gagged him.  

Police say they culprits then cleared out the cash register before making a getaway in the clerk's car.  The car has since been recovered, but the suspects are still on the lam.

The employee was later found by a customer who pulled into the station.    Officers say the clerk did not have serious injuries.