Police are hunting a thief who snatched cash from a shop till.
The man struck at the Colchester and East Essex Co-op in Nayland Road, Mile End, Colchester.
Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester police, said: "He entered the shop and asked for some cigarettes. When he was being given his change he snatched a quantity of cash from the till and ran off."
The woman cashier was believed to have been uninjured during the incident. Police did not say how much money was taken.
The thief was described as white, slim, in his late 20s, and 5ft 5ins tall. He was wearing a blue and grey baseball cap, blue top and a blue jacket with white stripes.
Management at the Co-op declined to comment on the incident.
Anyone with any information about the theft, which happened at 4.30pm on Friday, is asked to contact Colchester police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111
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