A HAMMER-wielding man wearing a paint mask and sunglasses threatened staff at a Co-operative store near Abingdon, as he robbed tobacco and cash. 

The thief strode behind the till at the food shop in Wootton at about 7.30pm last night, swiped tobacco then demanded employees open the till. 

It came just hours after a Co-operative branch in Didcot was robbed by a man carrying what looked like a gun, which Thames Valley Police believe could be a linked crime.

The Wootton robbery ended when the man fled the shop and dodged into a getaway car, a grey Vauxhall Zafira, which was parked near the village community centre.

A woman who was driving the car sped off towards Abingdon.

Two men from Didcot were arrested early this morning in connection with the robbery and remained in custody this afternoon. 

Det Insp Larry Johnson, leading the investigation, said: “It was fortunate that nobody was hurt during this incident, however it was still very distressing for the staff in the shop at the time.

“It took place during the early evening and so there would have been lots of people around and we would like to hear from anyone who saw anything last night in connection with this incident and have not yet given a statement.

“We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the vehicle or the female driver near the scene last night.”

The man is described as white, between 5ft 8ins and 6ft tall, and was wearing a white overall or decorator’s suit with the hood pulled up.

He wore a paint mask and black sunglasses.

Witnesses can ring police on 101 quoting URN 1374 4/6.

Lucy Billen, spokeswoman for the force, added: "At this stage we are investigating the possibility that the two robberies are linked."