Two teens broke into Threshers off licence in Lind Road, Sutton, setting off a smoke security device before making off with a small amount of beer.
The suspects, both white and in their late teens, were wearing dark hooded clothing and are thought to have entered the off licence just after 11.30pm last Thursday.
Alan Mann, from Sutton, walked past the scene just before midnight and said at first he assumed the shop was on fire.
"There was smoke bellowing out from the front." He added. "It was coming out of the letter box and from under the door, it looked like something out of the film, The Fog."
The incident comes just over a month after a car smashed through the front of the same off licence.
It is believed repairs to the shop's glass front had only recently been completed.
Anyone with information on the latest incident can call PC Allan Bowers at Sutton police on 020 8649 0747 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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