A van containing thousands of pounds worth of technical gear has been stolen from outside Slattery bakery.
The van belonged to workers for Viking Communications, who were carrying out data cabling at the patisserie on Bury New Road in Whitefield when it was stolen.
It contained more than £3,000 of equipment, tools and electrical goods belonging to the company owners.
Ross Jones, 29, and Josh Jones, 27, co-owners of the company, only noticed it was being stolen when they glanced up at the CCTV screen inside Slattery.
The pair rushed over to the bakery's car park, but the thieves were too far ahead and managed to get away.
Josh followed the crooks in another van, but lost them in Pilsworth as they travelled towards the M66.
The incident took place at around 9.15pm on Tuesday, February 25.
No arrests have been made.
Josh and Ross are urgently appealing for anyone with further information to get in touch, because without the van their business is unable to operate.
The white Transit van has the registration number YS12 KNX.
Ross told the M.E.N: "We were working at Slattery's last night around 9.15pm we realised on the CCTV the van was moving on the car park.
"It was 20m away and disappeared from the car park.
"Our business deals with electrical data. We had a lot of gear at the back of the van.
"There is £3,000 worth of stuff. They have got an absolute goldmine."
He added: "At the moment we don't have a business. All our things are in that van. The other van is used for moving cargo.
"We don't have a livelihood - it is all in the back of that van.
"It has taken us five or six years to build up the business. Between us we have bought all of the stuff, things you wouldn't get again.
"There are lots of things you can't just go and buy again today.
"The van was locked. We think they used a device to gain entry and start it. There is only one key and I have it.
"It is alarmed, there is CCTV, there's not much else we could do.
"Josh is expecting a baby in the next four weeks and I am getting married next year. It is not great timing."
Ross said one of the burglars was wearing a flat cap, while the other man was dressed in a hoodie.
A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said: "The incident was reported to us at 9.20pm yesterday.
"A vehicle has been taken."
Anyone with further information or any witnesses can contact GMP on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
