Police are investigating a robbery by a masked man at a legal high shop in Arbroath.
The man stole a three-figure sum from Declaration at Brothock Bridge after threatening a female member of staff.
Police closed Arbroath High Street to cars as a manhunt took place in the town centre.
The audacious robbery by the lone male, who is understood to have worn a balaclava, took place at around 3pm.
The female member of staff was working on her own at the time.
She declined to speak about the incident as she left the shop after being interviewed by police for more than an hour.
Laing Hodson, 23, an employee at the shop but who was not working at the time, came to the shop after he was informed it had been robbed.
After speaking to his colleague, he said: “Apparently, the man just came in very aggressively and he threatened the woman that he was going to smash the shop.
“He didn’t threaten to hurt her, but kicked a glass cabinet. She opened the till and took out the money.
“He wasn’t interested in any of the shop’s stock, just money.
“She was quite shaken up. Today was the first time she had been working on her own.
“The man was wearing a black balaclava, a black North Face puffer jacket and black gloves. He had a Scottish accent.”
He estimated that around £300 might have been stolen.
“I’ve been working here for months and it’s the first time there’s been any trouble,” he added.
Police took statements from witnesses who saw the man leave the shop, which sells a variety of legal highs and bongs.
A police van blocked the start of Arbroath High Street at the junction with Commerce Street as several officers patrolled the High Street.
A police spokesman said: “Police are investigating an incident at Brothock Bridge at 3pm today. Inquiries are ongoing.”