A group of thieves drove their car through the front door of a Waikato petrol station on State Highway 1 before leaving it there and fleeing in another vehicle.
Waikato police are hunting for those involved after the incident about 12.40am today.
The Mobil Service Station at Karapiro is closed as police investigate what happened.
Detective Craig Lemin said there was one staff member at the service station at the time of the incident and they were shaken but unharmed.
The stolen white Mazda, registration HFL43, which was carrying five people and crashed through the doors to gain access to the shop.
"Five people entered the shop, armed with two bats, and took tobacco and cigarettes before leaving the scene in a second stolen yellow Mazda Atenza, registration number CPJ6," police said.
"The second car was located not long after in Tirau."
Police are conducting scene examinations at both sites.
"Police are appealing for anyone who saw either of these cars in the area, travelling separately or together, in the early hours of the morning to come forward."
