Man hit in face trying to stop alleged jewel thief

Photo / NZME.

A man has been arrested at Sylvia Park shopping mall after trying to allegedly steal thousands of dollars of jewellery and injuring a man who tried to stop him.

A 27-year-old man who stepped in was allegedly hit in the face with a hammer.

Detective Sergeant Nick Poland from the Auckland City Crime Squad says, had it not been for the injured man's intervention, it's possible the alleged offender would have left the scene with nearly $40,000 of jewellery.

"After he was hit, the injured man desisted and others took over the chase resulting in up to six people detaining the accused until Police arrived a few minutes later.

"The shop owner and staff are very thankful to all those who helped arrest the alleged offender at 9.30 this morning.

"It's very unfortunate that the first man to assist the robbery victims was so severely injured."

Victim Support has been engaged to assist him and his family who are understandably distressed by the morning's events.

A 22-year-old man was later arrested at the shopping centre and will appear in the Auckland District Court tomorrow charged with aggravated wounding and shoplifting.

"Attending officers have praised those who helped out and would like to speak to any of them who left before Police had a chance to get their names and contact details.
These people are encouraged to contact Detective Constable Alex Lawton on 09 302 6557."