THIEVES made off with thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes after they threw "huge boulders" through a glass shop front.
Three lumps of rock are said to have been thrown through the window of the Co-op store in Oxted at about 1.50am on Sunday, shattering it. Shop workers believe the thieves then avoided detection by crawling on their hands and knees to the cigarette cabinet.
"It is worrying that this has happened, but we will be handing over our CCTV to the police," said Sean Lelliott, team leader at the Station Road East store.
"I think they may have used the Lottery stand to prevent setting off the movement sensor alarm.
"They only stole two sections of cigarettes. I presume that was because they were the only ones they could access while staying covered by the lottery stand."
The thieves left with about £4,500 worth of cigarettes, before making off in a blue Peugeot van.
A taxi driver is said to have noticed the break-in when it was in progress and followed the van, with registration plates LD12 HNZ, which police have said were stolen. The van is thought to have left Oxted via Titsey Road.
A forensics team was deployed to the shop in the early hours.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Craig Giles, of Reigate CID, said: "I would ask anyone who has been offered cheap cigarettes for sale, which they believe could be connected to this burglary, to contact officers with information.
"There have been several similar thefts from stores in the Tandridge area recently, and officers from the neighbourhood team are working closely with management to find ways of preventing future offences."
Oxted retailers are taking measures to try to ensure they are not targeted.
Lib Lander, manager of Oxfam in Station Road East, said: "Thefts are always an issue. It's an ongoing problem you have to have all the time. We always lock our valuables away."
Alan Dawkins, of nearby Simply Sports, said: "I noticed the windows were smashed, and there's been a few burglaries because obviously we're right on the M25."
Witnesses should call police on 101 quoting reference TD/13/1372, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.