Police hunt man who attacked elderly jeweller

Police want to talk to this man, seen in the Tawa Central Dairy on Main Road, Tawa at 3:00pm on Tuesday. Photo / supplied

Police are yet to make an arrest after an 85-year-old Wellington jeweller suffered serious facial injuries chasing a robber from his store.

Police today released CCTV footage of two men they say are of interest and need help in identifying following the daylight robbery of Regent Jewellers in Tawa on Tuesday.

Jeweller Ernest Waterworth suffered facial injuries after struggling with a man thought to have been involved in the robbery about 4pm on Tuesday.

Police said a man went into the jewellers and had a brief conversation with the owner before stealing a box of jewellery worth hundreds of dollars and running from the store.

Mr Waterworth chased after the man but tripped and suffered facial injuries. He was taken to hospital where stitches were inserted in his nose and mouth.

Mr Waterworth said he did not think twice about chasing the robber, but did not think about what could have happened until later.

"I've gone over everything in my mind and thought, 'Could I have done anything better?' But had I got hold of him, who knows - he could have had a weapon and I could be worse off."

Detective Gareth Barnes said CCTV footage released today has identified two men of interest. One man was seen walking past the Westpac Bank shortly before 4pm and the other man was in the Tawa Central Dairy about 3pm.

"They may be important witnesses to this robbery or may be able to assist us further and I urge them to come forwarded and make contact with us," he said.

Police would like to hear from anyone with information on the robbery.