A 14-year-old girl has been left shaken after she was threatened by an axeman while working at her part-time job at Kiama Downs.
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The teen was behind a register at Johnson Street’s IGA supermarket when the man entered the store about 6.15pm Sunday.
He carried a weapon, described by police as a small axe as he approached the girl and said something to her.
The Mercury has learned the teen cried out for a supervisor then jumped a counter and fled from the register area.
Customers took her into their arms as the man ransacked the cash registers.
He took cash from the counter area before leaving the store.
Police recovered at least one of the registers outside the store soon afterwards.
Sources at the scene have told the Mercury the girl was left physically shaking in the aftermath.
Customers saw the man leaving the store in a white VW Transporter van and provided the vehicle registration number to police. The van had earlier been reported stolen, according to police.
Residents reported a flurry of police activity in the area as the investigation got underway, with police cars reportedly moving at speed through surrounding streets.
The shop was declared a crime scene; the Transporter van was soon afterwards found abandoned on nearby Alexander Avenue and was to undergo a forensic examination.
The teen has since provided a statement to police.
The store’s manager, Brendan Gilmore, confirmed no staff were physically harmed during the hold-up.
“Everyone's fine and OK and the police are still investigating,” he said, declining to comment further.
Police are now searching for a man described as standing about 160-170cm tall, with a thin build.
At the time of the robbery he was wearing dark clothing and had his face covered.
No one was injured during the incident and investigations are continuing.
Anyone with information that may be of assistance to investigators is urged to come forward.
Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au, where information can be provided anonymously.