Henderson Police are investigating a brutal car jacking in New Lynn, in which a young male driver was hospitalised, with severe facial injuries.
Police say that at about 10.15pm on Wednesday 15 March 2006, a 21 year old man was driving his black Honda Integra, Registration DFH 132, on Clark Street, New Lynn.
On reaching the roundabout at the corner of Clark Street and Rankin Avenue,the young driver stopped the car, to give way to another vehicle.
While the vehicle was stopped, an unknown male offender appeared and opened the driver's door. He attacked the victim with a bottle.
He dragged the victim out of the car, and pulled him onto the ground. The male offender then continued his frenzied attack. He hit the victim twice more to the top of the head with a bottle.
The man then jumped into the victim's vehicle and drove off. Both driver and car were last seen headed onto Great North Road in the direction of Henderson.
The victim was hospitalised overnight. He received severe bruising. Stitches to the face and head were required.
Constable Rachel Inskeep says the victim is shaken by the incident. He only recently arrived in Auckland, he has lost all his money and possessions, and he's presently unemployed. This young man has had a rather luckless week.
Police have released a description of the offender:
Male
Polynesian or Maori
Age - approximately 18 years
Height - 170 cm
Medium build
No 2 haircut.
"Among the range of possessions in the vehicle were a duvet and woollen blanket, a dozen CD's, items of clothing, grey Motorola cell phone, and quicksilver wallet," Constable Inskeep said.
"This is a particularly nasty crime. It is unusual in that it was carried out by a sole offender, at a time when there were no pedestrians or vehicular traffic in the area. The offender must have been waiting nearby knowing he would be able to seize an opportunity. Someone may have seen him in area," she said.
"Drivers need to exercise a great deal of caution when they are alone in their vehicles. They need to ensure that all doors are secure."
"We need to catch this violent individual, and locate the missing vehicle."
"If anyone has any information at all that can lead us to both the identity or whereabouts of the offender, and/or the location of the missing car, please contact Henderson Police on [09] 839-0600," Constable Inskeep said.
ENDS:
Kevin [Kev] Loughlin
District Communications Manager
North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney Police
Telephone: 09-488-9758 - Mobile: 027-281-0271
Email: kevin.loughlin@police.govt.nz