Two men have been arrested following the serious assault on a 49-year-old man in his Ruawai home.
The victim was asleep alone when two men entered his house about 12.30am on Saturday. The men were disguised and wearing gloves. They confronted the victim and started punching him then threatened and assaulted him with what is believed to be an air pistol.
The offenders then made threats against the man that to get him to take them to an ATM machine and withdraw money. They also made threats against the victim’s family if he did not give them cash.
The victim was assaulted a number of times before the offenders left the house.
Police were called and the victim was taken to Dargaville Hospital due to concerns over a head injury.
Police from Ruawai, Dargaville, and a Whangarei dog handler located the offenders at a nearby address. The address was searched and a number of exhibits were seized. A vehicle used by the offenders was also seized by police for forensic examination.
Two Ruawai men, aged 19-year-old and a 23-year-old, were arrested at the address. They will be appearing in the Whangarei District Court today facing charges of aggravated robbery with other charges to follow.
The victim is traumatised by the incident, but is receiving good support from the community.
People with information regarding this offence can contact Detective Sergeant Jonathan Tier at the Dargaville CIB on (09) 439 3400. Information may also be left anonymously with the Crimetoppers organisation on 0800 555 111.
For media inquiries contact Northland Police Communications Manager Sarah Kennett on 09 945 4650 or 021 192 1099.