A woman was dragged along the ground during a brazen daylight bag snatch in central Kerikeri.
Senior Sergeant Brian Swann, of Mid North police, said the woman was on Kerikeri Rd, in the town's main shopping area, around noon on Sunday when a man came up behind her and tried to grab her shoulder bag.
A struggle ensued and the woman was dragged a few metres along the ground before letting go.
The offender, who was described as a male Maori, was seen getting into a white Toyota Gracia station wagon with the licence plate ABZ846.
The bag contained the woman's wallet, personal ID, a passport, a wedding ring and other items.