A petrol station worker accused of paying a friend to set up a bogus robbery so he could go home early has been seized by police.

The cops in the city of Tulsa, in the US state of Oklahoma, discovered the con after they responded to reports of a robbery at the petrol station’s convenience store.

The worker who reported the robbery, Isaias Jones, had told investigators that the gunman had stormed into the store shouting: “Give me all your money, or I will shoot you.”

But as officers investigated, it emerged that the robbery had apparently been set up by Jones and a friend so he could quit his shift early on 5th June.

Police identified the gunman as Steven Jones – it is currently unclear if he and Isaiah Jones are related – who told them that Alyia Locke, a female pal of the pair, had set up the whole thing for cash.

The Tulsa Police Department said in a statement obtained by Newsflash on 16th June: “He confessed to the robbery and said his friend, Alyia Locke, set up the robbery after the store clerk messaged her and asked if she would rob the store so he could go home early from his shift.”

The police added: “Locke also provided text messages from Isaias Jones asking for someone to rob the store so he could leave early.

“In exchange, Isaias Jones paid Locke after the robbery occurred.”

Now Steven Jones has been charged with conspiracy to commit embezzlement and possession of a firearm.

Isaias Jones was arrested for embezzlement and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Alyia Locke was arrested for an outstanding warrant and could also face charges for embezzlement, according to police, who also said: “Our Human Resources department, and likely every H.R. department in the world, would like to advise people that this is not the recommended way to leave work early. Carry on.”

The investigation is ongoing with the three facing lengthy jail terms over the robbery where it transpires Isaiah Jones had actually handed over cash from the til to the robber as well.