Robbers smashed a plastic screen and grabbed money from the till in a raid on a York shop.
But quick arrests followed the incident, at a store on Farndale Avenue at 9.20pm on Wednesday (31 August).
Police were on the scene soon after being alerted to the robbery at the unnamed shop.
The scene of the robbery
Less than an hour later police received information stating that there was a group of men acting suspiciously. Within five minutes officers were in the area and four men were arrested on suspicion of theft.
The suspects were interviewed at a nearby police station.
A 42-year-old man and 33-year-old man were released under investigation. The other two men were released with no further action.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “The speedy work of our officers on the ground has resulted in four arrests for a serious offence.
“When we receive a report that a crime has taken place on the streets of York and North Yorkshire, we will always endeavour to respond as fast as we can.”
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