HUDSON – An unknown number of thieves in need of a nicotine fix and beer broke into Roger’s Market on Route 221 in Hudson around 4:30 a.m. Thursday.

“It was a snatch-and-grab type of burglary,” Detective Bill Flagg of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s office said Thursday. “We think it’s more than one person but we’re still looking at evidence and following some possible leads.”

According to owner Rick Trench, the thieves stole anywhere from $400 to $800 in merchandise, mostly cigarettes.

Trench said the store’s alarm sounded and the alarm company notified him. He then called police, who arrived on the scene about a half-hour later.

The thieves entered the store by smashing in the front door window and opening the door. Trench said the people might have used a large hammer to break the glass.

“It’s double tempered glass,” he said. “It was the most secure glass I could get without going to bars [on the window].”

Trench said he has security cameras on the premises but he can only monitor them during the day; they do not record. Now he’s looking at more ways of protecting his business.

“The alarm did it’s job and I hate to put bars on the doors but now we’re going to set up the cameras so they tape 24 hours a day,” he said.

Trench said the last time the store was broken into was about seven or eight years ago.

Detective Flagg said he would be interested in speaking with anyone who might have been traveling on route 221 anytime between 4-5 a.m. who may have seen suspicious activity in the area.

He can be reached by calling the Penobscot County Criminal Investigation Division at 947-4585.