Brazen Vic thief nicks $25,000 necklace

A thief was hit in the face with a chair but still managed to make off with a $25,000 necklace in a brazen Melbourne jewellery shop robbery.

It was daylight when the burglar began attacking the window of the Brunswick store, throwing a rock at the glass five times before it finally smashed.

He then reached through the broken glass, grabbed the gold necklace and started to run.

A male staff member gave chase and threw a chair at the thief, hitting him in the face, but he managed to escape with the jewellery and fled to a waiting getaway car.

Police also believe the getaway car was stolen from Craigieburn one day before the burglary.

They have released images of the man they wish to speak to over the Wednesday incident.