Two burglars broke into a North Tyneside supermarket and attempted to break into the tobacco container.
An investigation is now under way following the incident in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Police were called to the Co-op in Cullercoats following reports of a break in at around 2.30am but those responsible had fled the scene.
No arrests have yet been made.
A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "At 2.38am today we received a report of a burglary at the Co-op store on John Street, Cullercoats.
“It was reported that two men gained access to the store and attempted to break into the tobacco container, but left empty-handed. They then left the scene in a vehicle.
“An investigation has been launched to identify those responsible. Anyone with information is asked to contact us via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website quoting log 72 280320.”
