Police in Angus are hunting two armed thugs following a botched raid on a Montrose shop.
The pair – both dressed in hoodies – burst into the Premier store in St Peter’s Place and pulled an eight-inch blade on a terrified shop worker.
But the would-be robbers left empty-handed after they were scared off when Jacqui McIntosh activated the store’s panic alarm.
The 38-year-old mum-of-three was getting ready to close up for the evening when the incident happened at around 9.55pm on Saturday.
“One of the men came round the back of the till with the knife,” she said.
“One of them had a black bag and I think they were after alcohol and cigarettes.
“I pressed the panic alarm and I think they got as much of a fright as me.
“It was really noisy and they just took off – the police were here within minutes.”
Jacqui has worked in the shop for four years and said it was the first time anything like that had happened.
“It was terrifying – you don’t come to your work expecting that,” she said.
“I’m a single parent with three kids and I dread to think what could have happened.
“I stay just round the corner and now I’m thinking it could be somebody I know.”
Police are now studying CCTV footage and have issued a description of the suspects.
The first man about 5ft 9in.
He was wearing a grey hooded top and his face was concealed with a dark scarf or clothing.
He was also wearing gloves and dark jogging bottoms and was carrying a black bin bag.
His accomplice is around the same height.
He was wearing a blue hooded top with the hood up and gloves.
A police spokesman said: “The two men have ran off from the area into a lane next to the store and may have been seen running off in either Christie’s Lane or India Street.
“Anyone with any information that may be useful should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting CR/1021/18 or speak to any police officer.
“Alternatively information can be passed anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
