A SHOP owner has told of her distress after her business was targeted in an overnight raid.

A thug kicked through the door of Latino, a Romanian delicatessen, before stealing money and making off.

In CCTV seen by the Evening Times - and available on our website - the man makes two violent attempts on the door before he gains entry.

With his face covered and wearing a headlamp, he spends a short time inside before running away along Victoria Road.

Devastated owner Loredana Pancui said a three figure sum of money had been taken as well as two packets of cigarettes but nothing else was touched in the raid.

WATCH: Thug forces way into Govanhill shop

She said: "There is so much food here that could have been taken and you can understand that, if people steal food.

"There are people in this community who are desperate and hungry but none of the food or my stock has been touched.

"He came straight in, took the money, and went straight out. He knew what he wanted."

Mrs Pancui set up Latino four years ago and sells Romanian food she imports from the country.

A lawyer, Mrs Pancui came up with the idea for Latino when she was pregnant with the first of her two children and was craving food from home.

She said: "There used to be no direct flight so I was spending a fortune on flying with KLM and BA to get home and bring back all the food I was craving.

"Food gives you a real connection to home. I was leaving shoes behind to make space in my suitcase for polenta.

WATCH: Thug forces way into Govanhill shop

"Then I thought, 'Other people will want this too.'"

The shop has proven popular with the community and Mrs Pancui tells of people travelling through from Edinburgh to stock up at Christmas and as far as from Oban.

But Latino has previously been targeted with racist graffiti reading "Go away" and "Go back".

Now the raid on the shop, between 2am and 3am yesterday morning, has left her shaken.

She said: "I have other options for work but I love running my shop. It's not easy - I drive from Stirling every day.

"When something like this happens you think, 'What am I doing this for? Why do I bother?'"

It is the second break-in in less than a week on the Govanhill shopping street.

On Saturday night the charity shop Barnardos was also broken in to with its front door glass smashed.

The manager slammed thieves who have "stolen from their community."

Barnardos was targeted during the night on Saturday, January 12, with thugs breaking through the front door.

Shop manager Gavin Monaghan said: “We’re appalled that someone would steal from a charity.

“Proceeds from the sale of donated stock provide vital funds that enable Barnardo’s to support vulnerable children in Glasgow, so the burglars have effectively stolen from their community.

“We have been continuing business as usual and would like to thank our customers for their support."

WATCH: Thug forces way into Govanhill shop

A sum of money was taken from the premises along with jewellery that had been donated by a kind supporter of the children's charity.

A further item was stolen but Barnardos bosses have asked that the details are not revealed for security reasons.

In addition, the shop lost a day's trading on Sunday and will have to pay costs to repair the damaged door.

Mr Monaghan said the shop is always looking for volunteers to help out and for donations.

He added: "Anyone who wants to come and buy from the shop or leave donations, or even volunteer, is very welcome.”