By Rachel Tiffen
An 85-year-old Wellington man was left bruised and bleeding after chasing a robber from his Tawa jewellery shop. The thief made off with thousands of dollars worth of items, while his victim Ernest Waterworth is at home recovering.
“I've got stitches in my mouth and I'm bleeding a little bit and of course I've got stitches in my nose and I'm not allowed to breathe in,” he says.
Staff member Linda Beard had finished work so Mr Waterworth was alone when the robber came in. He suspected nothing, even opening the cabinet and ducking out back to wrap some earrings.
“I broke my own rule by sliding it back and leaving the keys in there,” he says.
The next minute he looked up and this shelf was being emptied.
“They've obviously seen what they wanted ‘cause they've taken a gold necklace, bracelet and the expensive gold bracelet,” says Ms Beard.
Letting the thief go without a chase wasn't an option for Mr Waterworth.
Perhaps fortunately, Mr Waterworth tripped which caused his injuries and the man got away by running down a nearby alleyway.
The robber was last seen taking off up Essex Street. A dark older style hatchback with two men inside was seen lurking around the area.
3 News