Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Police are continuing to hunt for two men in relation to a "brazen daylight robbery" of a jewellery store in New Plymouth last week.
Armed with hammers, the men smashed their way into Michael Hill on Currie Street around lunchtime on Friday, 5 May.
The hooded men drove a stolen car up onto the footpath before smashing windows and display cases, grabbing items in front of shocked shoppers.
Minutes later they sped off along the footpath, scattering pedestrians as they fled the scene.
At one point, they drove on the wrong side of the road.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Drew Bennett said police were continuing to appeal to witnesses of the robbery.
"Police are following strong lines of enquiry to identify those responsible for the brazen daylight robbery," Bennett said.
Police said two vehicles believed to be involved in the robbery were stolen on Friday morning from the Merrilands/Welbourn area.
They were a 2001 black Subaru Impreza that was taken from Lismore Street between 6am and 10am and a 2016 grey Subaru Impreza that was taken from Hobson Street just prior to the robbery at 11:40am.
A third car, a 2004 Honda Accord, was also believed stolen. It was located around 9:30 am on the day of the robbery at the intersection of State Highway 3 and State Highway 3A, Sentry Hill.
A link to the robbery has not yet been made.
"Police would like to hear from anyone who saw this grey 2004 Honda Accord or any young males in the area potentially walking or hitchhiking toward New Plymouth between 7am and 9:30am," Bennett said.
"We would like to reassure the public that this behaviour will not be tolerated.
"We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure these offenders are located and held accountable for their actions."
Anyone with information about the investigation and the stolen vehicles could contact police on 105 or online, quoting file number 230505/4033.