Detectives have released CCTV vision of an armed robbery at a supermarket in Morpeth two weeks ago, hoping to track down the trio involved.
About 5.15am on January 20, three males, one armed with a knife, entered the Spar on Swan Street and stole cash from the register.
The attendant, a 47-year-old man, confronted the group, before he was punched in the face and stabbed in the abdomen.
The group then fled the scene in a stolen white Subaru Liberty.
The employee was treated at the scene by paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital. He has since been released.
About 2.40am the following morning, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were notified of a group of males in the Edgeworth area attempting to break into parked cars.
Police attended and saw the stolen white Subaru Liberty, travelling eastbound at Northville Drive.
The driver failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated, travelling through Speers Point, Boolaroo and Toronto, before being terminated due to the manner of driving.
About 5am, the Subaru was found abandoned at Olney Street, Awaba. Inquiries identified the vehicle was stolen from a property at Cameron Park on January 19.
While searching the car, police found a knife – both were seized for further forensic examination.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad have established Strike Force Conge to investigate.
Police believe the two incidents – the armed robbery at Morpeth and the pursuit at Edgeworth – are linked.
Strike force detectives have released CCTV vision of the three men, who they now wish to speak to.
One is depicted in the CCTV wearing a beige hooded-jumper, maroon pants, black shoes and a red cap.
The second is seen wearing a navy long-sleeved shirt with a white and red print on the front, navy pants, a navy cap and blue running shoes.
The third is wearing jean shorts, a grey hooded-jumper and white shoes.
Detectives have also released dashcam vision from a vehicle parked in vicinity of the police pursuit at Edgeworth, which depicts four men walking past.
Police are urging anyone with information about the identity of these men to come forward immediately.
