A man with a high-powered assault rifle was caught on video raiding a Queens bakery — a daring heist that was thwarted when a worker ran out of the store screaming for help, police said Thursday.

Cops are asking the public’s help identifying the heavy-set gunman who sported two pairs of sunglasses — one over his eyes, the other atop his head — when he burst into Paneorama Italian Bakery in Woodhaven about 8 p.m. Sept. 23.

The burly crook, who had a blue handkerchief covering his lower face, barreled into the bakery on Jamaica Ave. at 96th St., waving the weapon in one hand, surveillance video released by the NYPD shows.

“Give me the money!” he barked, frightening the lone employee inside, cops said. The woman working in the bakery sprinted out the back door hollering for help.

Police released surveillance video footage of a man waving around a high-powered assault rifle in an attempted robbery of a bakery in Queens. (NYPD)
Police released surveillance video footage of a man waving around a high-powered assault rifle in an attempted robbery of a bakery in Queens. (NYPD)

As witnesses on the street stared at the gunman through the store windows, he stormed off without taking any money.

He was last seen getting into a dark-colored SUV and driving off.

Police released surveillance video footage of a man waving around a high-powered assault rifle in an attempted robbery of a bakery in Queens. (NYPD)
Police released surveillance video footage of a man waving around a high-powered assault rifle in an attempted robbery of a bakery in Queens. (NYPD)

The crook was wearing a gray T-shirt, dark-colored shorts and black shoes.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

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