Thieves grab jewels worth $250,000 from salesman's van

Jewellery worth $250,000 was snatched from a salesman's van in downtown Tauranga last night.

The uninsured jewellery was taken from a campervan while the owner, an Auckland travelling salesman, was having dinner with friends at a city restaurant.

The salesman arrived back at his van at 9.30pm to find a man inside. The man ran off, chased by the salesman but was not caught.

Three boxes of silver and gold chains and other jewellery -- all hidden under the van's seat squabs -- were stolen.

Tauranga police constable Sharleen Loughnan said the man who ran away did not appear to be carrying anything and it is unlikely one person could have carried all the contents of the van.

Police had alerted all second-hand dealers in the area to keep an eye out for the jewellery.

The man who ran off is described as a male Maori or Polynesian of stocky build, in his mid-20s, about 1.8 metres tall, with short dark hair and wearing a long-sleeved white jersey with dark pants. The police have a beanie which fell off the man's head as he fled. A pair of shoes found by the van are also with the police.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES