A 23 year-old man has been charged with aggravated assault and burglary following an incident in Glen Eden last night.
At around 11pm neighbours noticed a suspicious man loitering in the driveway of a home belonging to a 73 year-old lady.
They saw lights on inside the home, went to investigate and saw the man inside, allegedly assaulting the elderly woman.
They chased the man away and called Police. A number of Police officers flooded the area and a search was launched. A Police dog and his handler located the man a short time later and he was arrested.
The victim is receiving medical treatment for facial fractures and scratches. She is being supported by her family, Police and Victim Support. The woman's family are grateful for the public concern but ask that she be able to recover in private and that media do not attempt to contact them.
The 23 year-old man will appear today in the Waitakere District Court. A translator is being arranged and it is possible that the man's apperearance may not occur until this afternoon.
"We know that the rest of the community, particularly the elderly, will have been very alarmed to hear of this and we hope they will be reassured that the alleged offender has been arrested and charged. Incidents of this type are fortunately rare, and the lady's neighbours in this case have done a fantastic job" says Detective Sergeant Alisse Robertson, Waitakere Police.
ENDS
Beth Bates/Waitemata Police