A shop worker was grabbed by the throat and forced to the ground during a terrifying robbery in East Belfast.
The incident happened on Gilnahirk Road , just after 10pm on Tuesday night, May 14.
A second staff member was also threatened with a hammer when she threatened to raise the alarm.
PSNI Detective Sergeant Dave Stewart said: "We received a report around 10.15pm that just after 10pm, two males entered the premises wearing masks and gloves.
"One of the suspects, described as being aged in his mid-thirties, grabbed a shop worker by the throat and forced him to get down on the ground.
"When a second staff member attempted to raise the alarm, she was threatened with a hammer. The suspects subsequently fled from the store with a sum of money and a quantity of cigarettes.
"This must have been a frightening and distressing ordeal for the staff members who, while not physically injured, have been left badly shaken."
Officers have urged anyone who may recognise the descriptions of the men to come forward.
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DS Stewart said: "The first suspect is described as 6' tall and of medium build. He is reported to have worn a mask over his mouth and eyes, a dark-coloured hoodie with the hood up and dark 'Adidas' bottoms with three stripes down the side.
"The second suspect is described as being smaller and of a slimmer build. He was reported as being aged in his mid-forties and wore a dark hooded top with the hood-up. He wore a mask that had horizontal stripes and dark 'Adidas' track bottoms that had stripes on the outside of the legs from below the knee.
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"I want to appeal to anyone who has information about this incident, or who saw two males matching the description of the suspects in the area around 10pm to call us on the non emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1508 of 14/05/19."
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