Police investigating an assault in Papamoa are seeking help from the public.

Detective Sergeant Sam Pritchard says a report was made on Sunday 21 September of the assault on Maranui Street a short time earlier.

“The female victim was walking along Maranui Street from the intersection of Coast Boulevard, west towards Bayfair, about 4:40pm,” he says.

“She has turned around upon reaching the retirement village at the intersection of Mangatawa Boulevard, and began walking back east along Maranui Street, on the oppose side of the road to the beach.

“It is at this point an unknown person has assaulted her from behind.”

Detective Sergeant Pritchard says the woman then broke free of his grasp and yelled out. The unknown person ran off across the road heading towards a campervan, a small red vehicle, and another vehicle parked on the beach side of the road, near the boardwalk beach access.

“It’s believed the offender ran towards the dunes, however this can’t be confirmed.”

The woman has continued to walk back to where she started, and a noticed a white utility vehicle with two male occupants who watched her as they passed slowly.

“This was a scary experience for this woman, who despite being uninjured physically was very shaken, and we are hoping for her sake to identify who did this,” Detective Sergeant Pritchard says.

The person who assaulted the woman is described to have a medium to stocky build, was likely male, and is described as wearing:

• A black fabric balaclava 

• Black sunglasses 

• A white hoodie with an image covering the upper back. 

• White, grey, and green camouflage cargo pants with side leg pockets. 

• Sneakers • Possibly gloves.

If anyone has any information which may help Police identify this individual, or if you saw what happened or any suspicious behaviour around this time on Sunday, please get in touch.

Contact Police on 105 and reference file number 250922/6208.

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