A PETROL station employee who chased down two supposed thieves was allegedly the victim of a racially aggravated attack in Wellington.

Police have released images of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident.

On Wednesday, November 30, police say two men filled a car with petrol at the Courtfields Station in Mantle Street, Wellington, before driving off without paying.

"An employee followed the men in his own car along the A38, resulting in a collision on the Wellington bypass near Popes Lane," a police spokesman said.

Following the collision the two men are alleged to have assaulted the victim, and police say this attack is being treated as racially aggravated.

"On Friday, December 2, a man attended the same petrol station and started making threats toward staff, and we are treating this incident as being linked," the spokesman said.

A 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the investigation, and has been released on bail until Wednesday, January 25.

"If you recognise the man in the images, please call PC Joanne Jeffery on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5216267586," a spokesman said.