WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A masked shooter and his accomplice are behind bars following a failed $17,000 robbery that left a gas station manager wounded.
On December 23, 2024, just before 3 p.m., 49-year-old Marathon Gas Station district manager exited the gas station near Palm Beach Lakes Blvd with over $13,000. As he approached his red Ford Explorer, he was attacked from behind by a masked suspect, later identified as 24-year-old Vinesh Maharaj, who held a firearm. After a brief struggle, the manager managed to escape, but was shot in the back. Responding officers rushed him to the hospital, where he underwent surgery for life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses say Maharaj fled the scene with an accomplice, later identified as 25-year-old Brandon Ramsamooj, in a bright red Jaguar. Surveillance video showed Maharaj pacing outside the station holding a walkie-talkie before the attack. Investigators later found over $17,000 in cash and firearm casings at the crime scene, along with a Ruger -57 firearm nearby.
A few days later, investigators traced the getaway vehicle to a nearby home in Cameron Estates, where they found it parked with stolen plates and a walkie-talkie in plain sight. Additionally, text messages between Maharaj and his stepbrother raised suspicions, and cellphone records confirmed his presence at the crime scene.
Despite claiming he knew nothing about the shooting, Ramsamooj’s statements contradicted the surveillance footage, which showed him picking up Maharaj shortly after the shooting.
Based on witness statements, phone records, and surveillance footage, both Maharaj and Ramsamooj were arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted robbery with a firearm, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
