SHOP workers were tied up in an Ilkeston armed robbery in what police tonight described as "a terrifying ordeal".
Officers are appealing for witnesses after the incident in the early hours of Thursday.
Two men dressed in black clothing and balaclavas went into the One Shop in Charlotte Street and tied up the workers before leaving through a door which leads on to Grass Street.
Detective Inspector Donna Sisson, from Ilkeston CID, who is leading the investigation, said: "The two members of staff were subjected to a terrifying ordeal just as they were preparing to open the shop.
"We urgently need to hear from any witnesses who were in the Charlotte Street or Grass Street areas at the time, who saw suspicious men or vehicles.
"We particularly want to speak to a man who was waiting opposite the shop just after the incident and was picked up by someone in a white flat back van, as we think he may have seen the offenders leaving the scene."
Today, police said this incident was not connected with a murder investigation which is also taking place in the town.
The robbery took place between 5.20am and 5.35am on Thursday, September 11.
Anyone with information on the robbery should call Derbyshire police on 101, quoting crime reference 38337/14
