A BURGLAR kicked a hole in the roof of a takeaway then dropped through to steal cash - in a daylight raid above a busy York street.

The daring heist took place at Ali's Kitchen Pizza & Kebab House, in Walmgate.

The burglar is believed to have climbed on to the single-storey roof from the rear, before ripping up roof felt, timber and insulation to leave a gaping hole.

He then dropped into the shop through the storeroom, and took cash from the till.

He also took a bag of financial documents, which are completely worthless financially but vital to the shop's owner, Ali Gurgur.

Ali's friend and former business partner Angie Kose today said the raid had left her and everyone at the shop "gutted".

"It's not the first time the place has been broken into, but this was the middle of the day and he still managed to get away.

"We're all upset. It's something you could do without, and because it was cash he took we won't be able to claim it back on the insurance."

Angie then appealed for the bag of documents to be returned.

"They are no use to whoever has taken them but Ali needs them, so if anyone knows where they are please let us know."

Updated: 14:37 Thursday, January 10, 2002