Home invasion in Whangarei

Northland District Headquarters
88 Cameron Street, Whangarei
Thursday August 28, 2014

Police have arrested a teenage male following a home invasion in Whangarei where an elderly woman was assaulted.

About 10.15pm last night two teenage boys forced their way into a Maunu Road address and assaulted a 68-year-old woman with her own walking sticks.
A number of items were stolen from the house along with the woman's car.

Police intercepted the car a short time later on State Highway One near Portland. The car stopped briefly then took off at speed.
Police pursued the car for a short distance before abandoning the chase due to concerns around public safety. Shortly afterwards the car was seen again on the roundabout at State Highway One and Port Marsden Highway.

It was later found on Marsden Bay Road where it had crashed into a fence. A police dog unit managed to track a 17-year-old male who has been arrested and charged with aggravated robbery, wounding with intent, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and several driving offences.
He has been remanded in custody to re-appear in the Whangarei District Court on September 1.

Inquiries are continuing into locating the outstanding offender.
The female victim received lacerations from the assault and was discharged from hospital today.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dene Begbie says it has been a very traumatic incident for the victim and it is pleasing that our staff were able to catch an offender reasonably quickly after the incident.

"We are also following up strong leads to locate the outstanding offender."

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