A getaway van was set ablaze by a robber who ambushed a Tesco cash delivery.
Police are on the hunt for a criminal who targeted a security guard outside the supermarket giant in Dovecot, Merseyside.
The shocking robbery took place in the same area that little Olivia Pratt-Korbel was shot dead, last August.
A man snatched the cash box off a guard during a cash-in-transit delivery before they fled the scene at about 9am this morning.
The robber was dressed all in black clothing and had his face covered and was wearing a baseball cap, police said.
But the white transit van they escaped in was later found on fire, less than half a mile away.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue had to attend to put out the blaze and an empty cash box was found a short distance from the van.
Witnesses reported hearing an "explosion" from the van, The Liverpool Echo reported, and pictures showed heavy smoke in the area this morning, and later forensic investigators at the scene.
Since the daylight robbery, police have been combing through CCTV and speaking to witnesses to try and find the person responsible.
Chief Inspector Rob Ross said: "We are in the early stages of the investigation and are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the incident so would ask them to please get in touch.
"If you live in the area or were driving past at the time, please check your CCTV or dashcam footage for anything that might help with the investigation. The smallest detail could be the key to finding those responsible and removing them from the streets."
Anyone with information is asked to contact @MerPolCC or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with reference 231 of April 7.
