Gardaí chased three men in a car over 80 kilometres after they raided a shop in Moneygall, Co Tipperary, late last night.
A quantity of merchandise including cigarettes was taken, and the shop till was also stolen in the robbery - which gardaí described as "a terrifying experience" for the shop owner.
The robbers' vehicle eventually crashed on the motorway near Kildare town, and the three suspects made off on foot. Although the cigarettes were recovered at the scene, the raiders escaped with the €200 float from the till.
Gardaí said that two cars were reported stolen in the area yesterday, but they are unable as yet to say if incidents are linked.