The thief who stole $250,000 worth of jewellery from a travelling salesman's van in Tauranga is still on the run.
The uninsured jewellery, which included boxes of gold and silver chains hidden under seat squabs, was stolen from a campervan on Tuesday night while the Auckland salesman dinedwith friends in the city.
The salesman returned to his van about 9.30pm and found the thief inside. He chased him, but the man got away.
Senior Sergeant Ross Bielby of Tauranga police said it was hard to tell whether the theft was opportunistic or the salesman had been targeted.
He advised people not to carry that quantity of gear in their vehicles, particularly if they were left unattended without alarms.
The theft has sparked concern among those in the industry.
John Franich, president of the Jewellery Manufacturers Federation, was reluctant to comment because it would make other travelling salesmen more vulnerable.
"It's an occupational hazard. We don't want to blow it up too much. People might start looking for them."
Jewellery manufacturers and retailers said travelling salesmen often carried samples that were silver or gold-plated and contained imitation stones. Most had car alarms.
"It's impossible for them not to leave it in their car at some point. They can't go around with it handcuffed to their wrist," one jeweller said.
Another said the cost of insurance premiums and excess payments meant there was probably a line past which it was financially viable for people to carry the risk themselves.
Police have alerted second-hand dealers in the area to watch out for the stolen jewellery.
They think it likely that more than one person was involved in the theft.
The man who ran from the van was described as a Maori or Polynesian, of stocky build. He is thought to be in his mid-20s, about 1.8m tall with short, dark hair.
