At 9.20am this morning the Caretaker at the Mon Desir Apartments in Hurstmere Road, Takapuna went to investigate a noise coming from an alcove in a downstairs area near the pool.
He was confronted by a man who had a t-shirt covering his face.
A short struggle ensued, which resulted in the Caretaker falling down a set of stairs.
The man fled towards the promenade area. A number of Police units flooded the area but the offender was not located and is still outstanding.
The Caretaker, who is aged in his fifties, was taken to North Shore Hospital and is receiving treatment for a broken shoulder blade, three broken ribs and a number of fractured vertebrae.
Police would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious at the time of the incident.
The offender is described as ;
-Male Maori
-Aged in his late teens
-Stocky build
-Was wearing a black singlet, black jeans and had a white and blue tshirt around his face.
"Takapuna is an area where there's quite a bit of foot traffic and it may be that someone has seen this man acting suspiciously before or after the assault. The victim is understandably quite shaken and obviously very sore, he's suffered some quite serious injuries in the fall and we'd like to identify and locate the offender as soon as possible" says Detective Sergeant Todd Bartlett, North Shore Police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Sgt Bartlett on 09 477 5261.
Information can also be given anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Beth Bates/Waitemata Police