Staff have been left shaken after three people entered the Gull Night n' Day in Taradale Rd, Napier and threatened them with a weapon.
A police communications spokesperson said three people entered the store at 3am on Sunday and intimidated staff with what appeared to be a baseball bat, before making off with cigarettes.
"Inquiries are ongoing and there is a scene guard in place at the service station this morning," the spokesperson said.
Earlier in the evening two of the three thieves had made unsuccessful attempts to break and enter Hastings Gull on Omahu Rd.