An off-licence worker was terrorised by a crowbar-wielding robber who jumped on to the counter and demanded cash.
The female shop assistant was working in the Drinks Cabin in Rectory Road, Pitsea, when the man walked in brandishing a long object wrapped in a blue plastic bag.
He leapt on to the counter and demanded she open the till, pointing what she thought was a wrapped up shotgun at her face.
In terror she fled and locked herself in the staff room, leaving the man in the store.
A second worker already in the staff room watched as the man unwrapped a crowbar which he used to force open the till and steal around £265.
Detectives were later studying CCTV footage of Sunday's raid.
The robber was white, aged 19-20, of average build, 5ft 7ins tall and wore a light green or khaki three-quarter length jacket which may have had a fur-trimmed hood.
If you can help, contact Det Con Chris Thomas at Pitsea CID on 01268 532212 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Published Wednesday, January 29, 2003
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