Thieves used a beer barrel to smash their way into a store.
The gang, believed to consist of three men, pulled up outside Woolworths in Furtherwick Road, Canvey, in a red Ford Orion.
An eye witness then saw the men hurl a barrel through the front glass window so they could get inside the store.
Several calls were made to police, who first thought they were dealing with a ram-raid. It is not known yet what was stolen.
A police spokesman said: "We have already had contact from quite a few witnesses and they have been very helpful. But we would still like to appeal to those people who may have seen what happened, but have as yet not contacted us, to come forward."
Anyone who saw what happened, at around 8.30pm on Sunday, should contact the island's police on 01268 511212.
Published Tuesday, July 1, 2003
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