Police are hunting a man who terrorised a shop worker before making off with money and cigarettes.
The culprit entered the Adie’s Self-Service on Bedford Road, Aberdeen at around 6.30pm on Friday evening.
He threatened a member of staff with a weapon before taking cigarettes and more than £100.
He was last seen running off down the lane to the rear of Sunnyside Road.
Detective Sergeant Andy Machray urged anyone with information to contact the police.
He said: “Nobody was injured as a result of the incident, but the member of staff involved was left shaken.
“I would ask anybody who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious to get in touch with us.
“It is also possible that anybody in Bedford Road or the surrounding area may have seen the man involved either before or after he was at the shop.”
The man is described as male, white, in his early 20s and wearing casual clothing and a blue coloured top.
Local councillor Ross Grant said people had been shocked by the incident.
He said: “I would echo the reaction of residents in the community.
“This incident has taken them by shock.
“These types of incident are quite rare here but that just adds to the sense of shock.
“We have had a staff member who was particularly shaken and my thoughts are with him.
“Of course we have to trace the individual or individuals responsible and I would urge anyone who saw anything or who may know where the thieves were last seen to get in touch with the police on 101.
“Anyone on Sunnyside Road who was looking out of their windows at the time could have seen something.”
The shop was has been targeted by thieves before.
In April 2013 a man forced his way into the property and stole cash, cigarettes, alcohol, mobile phone top-up cards and a CCTV recorder.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if they wish to remain anonymous.
