A robber was caught on CCTV as he snatched £100 from a newsagents' till.
The man went into Dillons in Marsh View Court, London Road, Vange, at about 8.45pm last night.
He went to pay for something but when the 24-year-old woman shop assistant opened the till he reached over and grabbed a load of bank notes and casually walked out.
The shop assistant was left shocked but unhurt.
The man, whose picture has been caught on security cameras, is black, aged 28 to 35, 5ft 9ins tall and has short, black hair. He was wearing a dark red T-shirt, dark trousers and white trainers.
Acting Sgt Wayne Norcott, of Basildon police, said: "Another man came into the shop to buy cigarettes about 30 seconds later and it is possible he may have seen this man."
Basildon police can be contacted on 01268 532212 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111
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