THIEVES forced their way into two Ongar shops within minutes of each other but fled empty-handed after unsuccessfully trying to break into the cigarette cabinets behind each of the counters.
Two men smashed through the strengthened glass windows of the post office in the High Street at around 2.45am on Wednesday last week before targeting Senners newsagents about 15 minutes later.
In both incidents the raiders had tried to steal cigarettes but they were unable to gain access to the security cabinets in which the tobacco products were stored.
The men left the high street empty-handed.
Senners, owned by Diane and Brian Hubbard, has been broken into just three times since they opened the shop in 1961.
Diane, 66, said: "We were very lucky. They didn't take anything.
"It appears that they smashed in through the window and then tried to hammer their way into the cigarette cabinet to no avail.
"They then went into the back storage room and when they couldn't find anything there they came out through the front where they had come in."
A number of residents were woken up by the commotion and dialled 999.
After this a widespread search was carried out by the police, using their helicopter and other units. But no trace of the men could be found.
Post office owner Ila Patel was woken up by her alarm security company in the early hours.
When she arrived at the post office she found the cigarette cabinet hanging off its hinges at an angle.
A window to the right of the front door had been smashed, creating a small gap for the thieves to squeeze through.
Ms Patel said: "They didn't get anything this time, but last year we had thieves who came through the ceiling and into the office."
Thieves stole more than a thousand pounds in that raid before smashing their way out of the building.
And in 2004 her husband told how he confronted a hostage-taking armed raider in his shop, despite being "terrified" when a gun was turned on him.
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Michelle Rhodes said: "These two burglaries happened within the space of just a few minutes, starting at 2.45am.
"We believe that two men broke in the post office first then went to the newsagents, but we are not sure which way they drove away from the town.
"We know that a number of vehicles passed through the High Street before 2.45am and we would like to hear from anyone who remembers seeing the two men or a vehicle they were using."
Anyone who can help should call Essex Police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
