Auckland City Police are releasing CCTV footage tonight of two women wanted in relation to the carjacking and assault of a woman in Panmure earlier today. (Footage up now on Auckland City Police Facebook page, including several still images)
Detectives have this afternoon obtained and reviewed the footage, which shows the victim sitting in the passenger seat of her car, at the Panmure YMCA on Lagoon Drive.
A red Honda Fit pulls into the carpark and appears to drive slowly in the carpark for several minutes. The two women then get out of the Honda. One is wearing a grey hooded-sweatshirt with the hood up, the over appears to be holding an object in her hand. They quickly walk to the victim’s car.
A third person appears to climb over the front seat of the red Honda and gets into the driver’s seat.
The victim is then pulled from her seat by the two women and a short altercation occurs.
At this stage Police are not releasing footage showing the violent assault which happens next. The victim tries to run away but is followed by the women with the object in her hand. She is struck several times in the head with the object and is then kicked in the head as she falls to the ground. The women in the grey-hooded sweatshirt hops into the driver’s seat of the victim’s car and the assailant gets in the passenger seat.
The victim is lying behind the car and the assailant gets out of the car and shoves her out of the way as the car reverses. The victim manages to get up and run for help as the two cars then speed out of the carpark.
The condition of the victim, who is aged in her late 60’s, has improved since this afternoon. She has undergone tests this afternoon and has facial injuries. She will remain in hospital overnight for observation.
“We want to hear from anyone who knows who these two women are. This was very violent and the footage of the assault is quite alarming” says Detective Sergeant John De Heer, Auckland City Police.
“It may be that these women have been scoping out other carparks prior to this and have appeared suspicious, they may well have been driving erratically after this incident too” he says.
The victim’s grey Toyota Corolla was found abandoned just after 5pm in Mangere. It has been towed away by Police to be forensically examined.
The stolen red Honda Fit is still outstanding and Police continue to appeal for sightings of this vehicle.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Auckland City crime squad on 09 302 6557, private messages can also be sent to the Auckland City Police Facebook page.
Information can also be given anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Media: Det Sgt De Heer is not available for interviews due to operational commitments. A further update will be provided after 9am tomorrow, no interviews will be given before then.
Beth Bates/NZ Police
