Investigators also say they believe a pursuit that followed a report of attempted vehicle break-ins at Lake Macquarie is linked to the violent robbery.

Three men - one armed with a knife - entered the supermarket on Swan Street at Morpeth about 5.15am on January 20 and stole cash.

The 47-year-old store owner confronted the group, before he was punched in the face and stabbed in the abdomen.

The group fled the scene in a stolen white Subaru Liberty.

The 47-year-old was treated by paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital. He has since been released.

Then, in the early hours of January 21, police received a report that a group of men in the Edgeworth area was trying to break in to cars.

Officers went to the scene and spotted a white Subaru Liberty travelling east on Northville Drive.

Police said the driver refused to stop and a pursuit took place through Speers Point, Boolaroo and Toronto before the chase was terminated for safety reasons.

The vehicle was found abandoned on Olney Street at Awaba a few hours later.

Inquiries revealed the car was stolen from Cameron Park on January 19.

Police found a knife during a search of the vehicle.

The stabbing and pursuit are being treated as linked, police said in a statement on Wednesday morning.

The State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad has taken over the investigation into the violent hold-up, under Strike Force Conge.

Detectives on Wednesday released CCTV vision recorded at Morpeth depicting three men believed to be able to help police with their inquiries.

One is wearing a beige hooded-jumper, maroon pants, black shoes and a red cap.

The second is 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 near where the pursuit began at Edgeworth.

Police are urging anyone who knows the identity of the men to contact investigators through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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