Popular jeweller stabbed dead in botched robbery at Hastings A JEWELLER died in a stabbing and his wife was wounded after a bandit struck in a bungled closing time hold-up today. Homicide squad detectives were tonight at Hastings on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula where the thief struck with tragic consequences in town's main shopping strip. There was a significant breakthrough during the evening when a silver Holden Commodore suspected of being linked to the crime was found. Police responding at 5pm to a report of a hold-up at the Jewel Shed on High St found a man aged in his 60s critically injured in a knife attack. Ambulance officers worked on the man near where he was attacked but he could not be saved and died at the scene. Paramedics took a female victim, also aged in her 60s and believed to be the dead man's wife, to Frankston Hospital. She was expected to be released from hospital tonight. The area around the store was sealed off as detectives spoke to potential witnesses and crime scene examiners pored over the area for evidence. An object believed to be a baton remained on the floor of the store. It may have been used to smash open glass cabinets during the robbery. Investigators were late tonight inside the Jewel Shed examining its CCTV footage for clues. Other security video from cameras along High St will also be scrutinised in coming days. It is unclear whether the bandits escaped with any of the store's stock or whether a getaway car was used. Detective Sen-Sgt David Snare of the homicide squad said the bandit walked in the front door and confronted the woman. Her husband intervened and in an altercation whcih left him with fatal injuries. The thief then left through the front door and fled to a rear carpark and drove away. "It's terrible," Sen-Sgt Snare said. It's a tragic event where an elderly male is deceased. They were two elderly people going about their business. Resident Jim Brennan described the victims as a "beautiful" but quiet couple. "They were a lovely couple who put their heart and soul into the business," Mr Brennan said. It's just shocking to think something like this might happen. It's just unbelievable - it would be very hard for the local community to take. It will really hurt the town.