BURGLARS stole more than £12,000 worth of cigarettes after removing tiles from a shop roof.
Police are now asking anyone who is offered the cigarettes for sale to get in touch.
The raid happened overnight on Friday at Steven’s Newsagent, in Front Street, Stanley, County Durham.
Police say intruders first got onto the roof and removed tiles so they could gain access to the shop. Once inside, the helped themselves to cigarettes and also a small amount of cash.
Officers say they are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area on Friday evening.
PC Malcolm Ord said: "We are appealing to anyone with information to contact police.
"We are also asking people who believe they may have been offered these cigarettes for sale to contact us as they may be incriminating themselves by accepting them."
Anyone with information is asked to ring police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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