AN EYEWITNESS has spoken of the terrifying moment he came across two thugs robbing and “smashing up” a convenience store.

Essex Police are now hunting for two people following the robbery at Martin’s convenience store in Basildon.

The store, next to the Jolly Friar, in Whitmore Way, was hit on Wednesday evening at 5.45pm.

Two men wearing hooded jumpers and balaclavas were involved, with one man entering the store, damaging the interior.

The second man stood at the door and stopped anyone from coming inside.

The witness, a 40-year-old man from Basildon, who asked not to be named, said: “I finished work and had two letters to post. I parked my van and approached Martins post office on Whitmore Way. A man was outside come up to my face saying what are you doing. His eyes were glazed so I thought intoxicated, he again said ‘where you going’.

“I said ‘post office’. He then said you’re not going in there. I looked through the window and saw another man behind the counter smashing up an area behind the post area.”

The man said he then backed away and phoned the police, going into a neighbouring shop to describe what was happening.

He added: “Within minutes a car arrive with police while I still was on the phone.

“I exited the shop and the two men had ran off with the police inside the shop.

“The shopkeeper inside looked to be physically ok but was shaken up and on the phone at the time. Shortly after patrol cars turned up and started looking around the streets for the two men.”

Essex Police said a huge search was carried out.

A spokesman said: “The man who entered the shop is described as white and wore a grey parka-style jacket with brown fur and a navy blue hooded top and jeans.

“The second man is described as black and was wearing a brown jacket with a grey hood and red gloves. He was also wearing jeans.”

Call police on 101 quoting incident 864 of January 27, or online at essex.police.uk.