TWO youths escaped with cash after holding up a garage attendant with what looked like a gun.
They forced the woman to open the till at the Chilton Moor Filling Station, Chilton Moor, near Houghton-le-Spring, before riding off on BMX bikes.
"The attendant was left shocked but unhurt," said a Northumbria Police spokesman.
"A group of youngsters were playing near the garage, and police are appealing for them to come forward as they probably saw the two youths."
One of the raiders was aged 16 or 17, about 5ft 6in tall, and wearing a light-coloured jacket, red woollen hat and dark tracksuit bottoms.
The lower half of his face was masked by a scarf.
Anyone with information is asked to call detectives on 0191-454 7555, extension 66443
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