Police are hunting for a brazen masked thief after an early morning break-in at a store.
Officers are appealing for vital information following the incident in Ochiltree, East Ayrshire.
The alarming incident happened shortly after 4am on Friday, August 1, 2025.
During it, officers said a man forced his way into a shop on Main Street and pinched a four-figure sum of cash and cigarettes worth around £1,500.
The thief then left the store around 20 minutes later and walked off in the direction of Mauchline Road.
Following the break-in, cops have launched an urgent hunt for the culprit. The suspect is described as a white man who was wearing a light-coloured face covering and a light-coloured beanie hat.
He was also donning a light grey long-sleeved top, dark coloured trousers, and black trainers.
Meanwhile, he was carrying a dark-coloured Nick rucksack.
As part of their enquiries, officers are checking CCTV cameras in the area, while they are also urging anyone with information to get in touch.
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Detective Constable Kieran Young said: "I am appealing to anyone who may have been in the area at the time, perhaps with dash cams or anyone with doorbell recording equipment, to check their footage.
"You may have captured an image which could help us identify the man responsible.
"I am also asking everyone to be aware of people trying to sell cigarettes, possibly at a reduced price, as these could be the cigarettes stolen from the local shop."
A Police Scotland spokesperson added: "If anyone has any information, please call [[Police Scotland]] via 101, quoting incident number 0445 of Friday, August 1, 2025.
"Alternatively, get in touch with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where you can give your information anonymously."
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