Doona-covered burglar struggles with cigarette cabinet lock during service station heist

A dramatic armed robbery overnight at a service station in Sydney’s east has been thwarted after the attendants fled and the thief found himself at a loss to open a locked cigarette cabinet.

A doona-clad, knife-wielding burglar was captured on CCTV storming the 7/11 service station in Matraville last night.

The video shows the man confronting a cashier and demanding money, jumping the counter.

The young attendant can be seen offering the thief a bunch of $5 notes, before fleeing.

Having pursued the cashier a short distance, the thief abandons the attempt, returning once more to the counter.

The video shows him attempting, unsuccessfully, to open the cigarette cabinet, before he seizes some small change and a handful of $5 notes and turns tail.

A second worker, Farsih Ahmed, remained concealed in the cool room throughout the ordeal.

Police canvassed the site today, speaking with neighbouring business owners.

They are yet to apprehend the thief.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.