Home Invasion Victim Out Of Hospital

Source: NZ Herald, Tues 9 Sept, 2008

"A 67-year-old man attacked by two teenagers in a Wanganui home invasion last night is expected to be released from hospital today.

Detective Constable Aaron Bunker said the man had suffered cuts and bruises to his head after answering his door to two males in their mid teens about 9pm. The pair burst into his home, demanded personal items and attacked him with a weapon.

He was taken to Wanganui Hospital, where he stayed overnight, and was expected to be released later today.Mr Bunker said the man was in "relatively good spirits" and had spoken to police.

Wanganui police said the man's stolen Eftpos card was used at the Gonville Shopping Centre ATM half an hour after the attack.

Police are looking for the two teenage males described as Maori, who may have been seen in the Hackett Street area or at the shopping centre about 9.40pm."

Home Invasion in Dallington, Christchurch

Source: The Press, 4 Sept, 2008

"A Christchurch woman was bashed around the head after being roused from her bed by a balaclava-wearing attacker last night.

The home invasion in the suburb of Dallington happened about 10.30pm and left the woman, aged 58, with serious bruising and concussion.

A neighbour said the woman, who lives alone, was in bed when her attacker broke down the back door of her Snell Pl home. He asked her for money and jewellery before bashing her several times around the head, the neighbour said.

"She told me she's pretty disorientated and can't really remember much,'' he said.

The offender is believed to have taken some money and jewellery.

The woman is staying with a friend in the neighborhood while police check her home for evidence, the neighbour said.

"She's a really nice woman and this is a really terrible thing to have happened to her,'' he said."