A man was struck with a hammer after he stepped in to stop a thief fleeing with $40,000 worth of jewellery at an Auckland store this morning.
The incident happened in a Sylvia Park shop at about 9.30am.
The injured man had to have dozens of stitches.
Up to six other people chased the alleged offender and detained him until police arrived.
A 22 year-old man will appear in the Auckland District Court tomorrow charged with aggravated wounding and shoplifting.
