Reisdents living on High Street in the town’s centre were woken at 5am by the sound of the trio bashing their way through doors to gain entry to IGA Supermarket.

Several residents investigated the noises, but seeing nothing to rouse their suspicions returned to the comfort of their homes.

Bowra Bakehouse owner Trevor Kinnear also investigated the commotion.

When he ventured on to the footpath outside his bakery, he saw the three offenders swinging the sledgehammer at the IGA doors.

“When I went outside, I saw them into the roller door with a sledgehammer,” Mr Kinnear said.

When the three offenders saw Mr Kinnear looking at them, “they came after me”.

Mr Kinnear, fearing he might be bashed, or worse, ran back into the bakery and started to dial tripple 0 but the three men smashed their way through his front window and entered the premises.

Mr Kinnear’s situation had turned dangerous. “It was then I realised it was time to get out there’ he said.

“I ran out through the back door of my property and hid.”

The three intruders, who had followed Mr Kinnear, returned to the front area of the bakery to grab the cash register before escaping in a vehicle that had been parked nearby.

The crime was caught on security camera and the cash register stolen was empty, a small consolation for Mr Kinnear.

Police are continuing investigations.