Detectives believe two armed robberies minutes apart in Widnes were committed by the same crooks.
Cheshire police said that at around 9.10pm on Saturday, February 8, two men with their faces covered entered the M&S Late Shop on Derby Road.
When a member of staff asked them to remove their coverings, they refused.
They demanded cigarettes and showed her an axe before stealing sweets and fleeing towards Peel House Lane.
A few minutes later two males with their faces covered ordered food at Peel House Fish Bar.
They claimed to have no cash and told the member of staff to hand over the till.
When another worker appeared and ordered them to leave, they produced a knife and threatened him before fleeing on foot empty-handed.
It is believed that the same offenders were responsible for both incidents.
The offenders were both white, slim and looked between 16 and 19 years old.
Neither had facial hair.
One of the offenders was of average height and had dark brown hair with a centre parting.
The other was shorter and had mid-length dark hair.
Enquiries in relation to the incidents are ongoing and detectives are urging anyone who was in the area and believes they saw the offenders, or have CCTV or dashcam footage of them, to get in touch.
They also want to speak to anyone who thinks they may know who the offenders are.
Detective Inspector Ian Whiley, of Widnes Local Policing Unit, said: “All that the offenders stole were a quantity of sweets, but these were frightening incidents for the people working at the businesses they targeted.
“The offenders were armed and we are determined to establish their identities and make them face the consequences of their actions.
“Enquiries are ongoing and as part of our investigation we are appealing for anyone who was in the area and believes they saw the offenders, or recognises their descriptions and thinks they may know who they are, to contact us at Widnes Police Station.
“We also want to hear from anyone who believes they may have CCTV or dashcam footage of the offenders.”
Anyone with information or footage that may aid the investigation should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 632336, give the details via www.cheshire.police.uk or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
