By Ian Crouch

A female employee has been left shaken after an armed robbery on a take-away shop at South Maitland which was witnessed by her young son.

The 25-year-old woman and the 5-year-old boy were in the shop on the corner of Louth Park Road and Blomfield Street just before 8 last night when a man entered, pulled out a pistol and demanded money from her before grabbing the cash register and running off.

He was last seen running down Louth Park Road before turning left into Evans Street. The woman and her son were not injured, but police say she was extremely distressed by the incident.

A police dog found the cash register a short distance away, still with the day’s takings inside.

The bandit is described as being between 19 and 25 years old with a thin build and about 165 centimetres tall. He has sores or pimples on his face and stubble. At the time of the robbery he was wearing a hooded jumper over his head.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information which could assist detectives is urged to contact Maitland Police or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.