Twin Cities Man Robbed 5 Gas Stations With Airsoft Handgun: Feds

MINNEAPOLIS — A Twin Cities man admitted to the robberies of five gas stations throughout the metro, U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger announced Wednesday.

Mohamed Zaki Mohamed Elsayed, 28, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to five counts of Hobbs Act robbery. His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

In June and July of 2023, Elsayed robbed five gas stations across the Twin Cities, including in Mounds View, Roseville, New Brighton, Fridley, and Eagan, authorities said.

On June 26, he and an accomplice targeted a gas station in Mounds View, according to investigators.

Elsayed’s accomplice entered the gas station, approached the cashier, flashed what appeared to be a semiautomatic pistol, and demanded money from the cashier, authorities said.

The accomplice stole $354 from the business and fled the gas station to a vehicle where Elsayed was waiting, according to investigators.

Over the next two weeks, Elsayed similarly robbed four more gas stations, authorities said.

In each incident, Elsayed entered the business wearing a mask, he flashed a real-looking semiautomatic pistol at the cashier and demanded the business’s money, according to investigators.

On July 13, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Elsayed’s residence and recovered a Glock replica airsoft handgun that Elsayed admitted to using in each of the gas station robberies, authorities said.