Armed Robberies In NZ

Armed robberies are not isolated incidents in New Zealand, just the opposite they're now becoming incredibly frequent, hardly a week day goes by without us hearing about one and things are getting worse. In 2008 there were a total of 1,160 recorded aggravated robberies, of which 163 were firearm related and 223 used a stabbing or cutting weapon (source NZ statistics) which means that thousands of innocent members of the public and people at work have been affected by armed robberies in NZ, which is appalling for a country that markets itself as having a low crime rate.

Below is a list (highlighted to show whether a firearm or other weapon was used) of armed robberies that have been publicly notified (a significant number don't make it into the news) in 2009 and 2010 from non-domestic premises. It's becoming evident that these incidents are occurring all over the country, not just in Auckland. This post will be updated as each new robbery becomes known about; we're now adding links to these stories for those who use this site for research.

20 March: Supersave and Speciality Store. SWANSON. woman held at gunpoint and assaulted by two men in their teens, 5.15pm link 19 March: Woman held-up at ATM Machine. Albany, NORTH SHORE weapon unknown, midday link
11 March: Wordsworth Superette, MANUREWA, 7.15 2 males knife and firearm link
10 March: Crook & Flail Bar and Casino, Meadowlands Drive, HOWICK. 11.40pm, knives link
10 March: Video Ezy, HAVELOCK NORTH, man with spanner stole cash, 9.40pm link;
9 March: Pricecutter, Bridge Street, HUNTLY: 3 youths with pistols and iron bar, 7.45pm link
4 March: National Bank ATM, Kepa Road, AUCKLAND, Armourguard employees held-up in front of shoppers, details of weapons not released by police. 12.30pm link
1 Mar: Racecourse Dairy, Green Lane East, AUCKLAND. worker held up with gun, 5pm  link
28 Feb: Massage parlour, Central WELLINGTON, 'Maid' held up by men with pistol link
21 Feb: Harper Street Dairy, WANGANUI, mother and daughter working in shop taken to hospital, no info on weapons, 5.10pm link
12 Feb:  ASB Bank, OTAHUHU, Armourguard Robbery. Single barrel firearm used, 4.40pm link
10 Feb: Pizza Delivery worker, HENDERSON, teenager with a knife link
3 Feb: ANZ Bank, Marewa, NAPIER, man with gun threatened to shoot staff, 12.25pm. link
31 Jan: Taxi Driver, Hiren Mohin during a robbery link
27 Jan: Bank, TEMUKA. firearm link
26 Jan: Trident Tavern, ONEHUNGA, men with guns, 10am. link
25 Jan: Redwood Dairy,UPPER HUTT, 4pm. Molotov Cocktail used to set fire to shop! 4pm link
25 Jan: Post Shop, WAIPUKURAU, Central Hawkes Bay, 9.27am. No info on weapon link
21 Jan: ANZ Bank, Gladstone, GISBORNE, (knife) link
17 Jan: Shell Service Station,  EDGECUMBE. Two men shot at police link
6 Jan:Caltex Service Station,  Bishopdale, NELSON. midnight (two men with a knife) link
5 Jan: Taxi driver, Wycliffe St, NAPIER. 9.45pm (man with gun) link 
2 Jan: Mount Paper Power Lotto Shop, MOUNT MAUNGANUI, 2.55pm sawn-off .22 rifle used link

2009
29 Dec: Bellbird Arms Tavern, McAnnalley Street, MANUREWA, 3 men with shotgun. 12.20pm. link
28 Dec: Kawaha Point Dairy, ROTORUA, 4pm. Youth with knife.  link

28 Dec:  Tip Top Store, BLENHEIM, 5.40pm two men with knives. link
24 Dec: ASB Bank, Mount Roskill, AUCKLAND, gun11am. link
23 Dec: 'Security Van', Westfield Mall, Albany, NORTH SHORE. Masked men, 10.20am, no info for security company, weapons or amount of money stolen. Getaway vehicle recovered from Warehouse carpark. One of the man used a hammer to threaten guards link
22 Dec: Edgeware Post Shop, CHRISTCHURCH, 5pm, gun.
22 Dec:  Miramar Post Shop, WELLINGTON, man with a firearm, 2.50pm.
18 Dec: Levesque Liquor Store, Birkdale, NORTH SHORE, teenager with knife. link

13 Dec: Crinan Street Dairy, INVERCARGILL, 2.30pm. 8th robbery at this store in 6 years, previous was in May.
11 Dec: Post-Shop, Main Street, HUNTLY, 9.38am (no info on weapon)
11 Dec: Woolworths Supermarket, Medway Street, GORE 2.40pm (no info on weapons)
7 Dec:,ANZ Bank CANTERBURY UNIVERSITY, CHRISTCHURCH. "Firearm" 2.45pm
5 Dec: Kiwibank, Chartwell, HAMILTON,  2 men threatened 12 people with rifle. 10.00am
3 Dec: Diamond House, Mangere Bridge, S.AUCKLAND, 3 men, machete and rifle, 10.15pm
22 Nov: Cannons Creek Mobil Service Station, PORIRUA 7.25pm (knife)
17 Nov:  Gull service station, WHANGAREI. 4 masked men, one with a machete.
14 Nov: Isobar, Finns Bar and Bristo, Hornby CHRISTCHURCH. Several $1,000s taken. (knife) 11pm
13 Nov: Service Station, Mana, near WHITBY, 2am (shotgun)
3 Nov: Carlisle Street Dairy off Argyll Street, TAURANGA, 10.50am (man with knife)
3 Nov: Fix Store, corner of Ghuznee and Cuba Streets WELLINGTON, 2.50am (broken bottle)

3 Nov: Armourgard Van - ANZ Bank HUNTLY, 12.12pm (shotgun) is there a connection to the recent Hamilton Robberies?
29 Oct: Travelex, Ward St, HAMILTON. (no information on weapon) 4th in Hamilton this month.
29 Oct: NZ Credit Union office, Laurence Stevens Drive, SOUTH AUCKLAND (gun)
28 Oct: The Mill Liquorsave, TARADALE, 6.30pm (worker stabbed in chest with knife)
27 Oct:  BNZ Bank, Grey S, HAMILTON (no information on weapon) 10.15pm
25 Oct: Kaukapakapa Wines and Spirits, Kaipara Coast Highway, HELENSVILLE, 7.40pm (pistol)
24 Oct: Fay's Place, Garfield Rd, HELENSVILLE, 9.40pm (pistol)
22 Oct: That Place Takeaways on Parkhurst Rd in Parakai, HELENSVILLE (pistol) 9.40pm
15 Oct: Westpac Bank, Westfield Shopping Centre, Chartwell, HAMILTON, 1.47.pm (no info. about weapon)
14 Oct: McDonalds Restaurant, DRURY, 11pm (knife)
8 Oct: BNZ Bank, Kilbirnie, WELLINGTON, noon. Linked to robbery on 5 Oct.
8 Oct: Lincoln Rd Liquor Centre, Lincoln, CHRISTCHURCH, 8.50pm (machete)
6 Oct: Cherrywood Liquor store, Cherrywood, TAURANGA (rifle)
5 Oct: Westpac Bank, Molesworth Street, WELLINGTON.
3 Oct: Pomona St Discount Store, INVERCARGILL, 1.50pm (knife held to worker's throat)
2 Oct: ASB Bank, Westfield Chartwell, HAMILTON 9.30am (offender claimed to have gun)
28 Sept: ANZ bank, Terrace End, PALMERSTON NORTH, ('long barrelled gun') 9.40am. Second robbery at this premises this month +
27 Sept: Centenial Park Store, Church Street, TIMARU. Shop worker hit over head with hammer and shot in face with airgun, 9.20pm
26 Sept: Redan Dairy, Redan Rd, KAITAIA
24 Sept: Jays Bar, Brookland Rd, ROTORUA, 11pm
23 Sept: West Force Credit Union, PAPKURA 2.30pm. Hand gun
20 Sept: Brothel, Mt Wellington, AUCKLAND around noon (BB gun) woman slightly injured
20 Sept: G & S Superette, Lyall Bay, WELLINGTON, 7.45 pm. (30cm long hunting knife)
17 Sept: Rodney Wayne Hairdressers, Westfield Shore City, Takapuna, NORTH SHORE, 8.15pm. Shotgun used, staff member punched in throat.
17 Sept: ANZ bank, Terrace End, PALMERSTON NORTH, 10.45am. ('Long barrelled gun') +
14 Sept: Westpac bank, Horomatangi Street. TAUPO around 2.30pm (no info on weapons)
13 Sept: Lyon St Dairy, Kihikihi, near TE AWAMUTU, 9pm (Female carrying a machete)
12 Sept: Dairy, MANUREWA. Owners Ranbir & Kulwant Singh violently attacked.
12 Sept: Gull Service Station, WHANGAREI (gun)
12 Sept: Hillpark Superette, Grande Vue Rd, AUCKLAND weapon not specified
12 Sept: Price Cutter superette, Vine St in MANGERE, 8.50pm (gun)
11 Sept: BNZ Bank, corner of Bentley Avenue/Glenfield Rd Glenfield, GLENFIELD 2.20pm No info on weapon used.
11 Sept: Westpac Bank, Ngongotaha, ROTORUA, two men with a pistol and shotgun.
7 Sept: Bank, Panmure AUCKLAND 11am (female with knife)
6 Sept: Night and Day store, Ferry Road, CHRISTCHURCH, 1.09am no information released about the weapon used
5 Sept: KFC restaurant, TE AWAMUTU, 11.30pm
4 Sept: Kamo Mobil Mart Service Station, Kamo Rd. WHANGAREI (knife)
3 Sept: Kiwibank, Great South Rd, PAPAKURA, 11am. (Previously robbed 25 Aug)
2 Sept: Antique Store, Dominion Road, AUCKLAND
2 Sept: Park Dairy, Acheson Avenue, CHRISTCHURCH, 7.10pm (metal bar and screwdriver)
1 Sept: Grand Vue Dairy, Great South Road, AUCKLAND
31 Augst: Ratavine Foodmarket in WIRI (2nd time)
28 Augst: Kiwibank Postshop, Dominion Rd/King Edward Street, AUCKLAND no information is being released about the weapon that was used, robbery took place around noon.
25 Augst: Strand Caltex, WANUIOMATA, 10.45pm-11.10pm. No info on weapon released
25 Augst: Kiwibank, Great South Road, PAPAKURA.
23 Augst: TAB, Point Cheavlier, AUCKLAND $13,000 stolen by man with a gun.
22 Augst: Ratavine Foodmarket, WIRI
21 Augst: Halsey Road Foodmarket, Manurewa, SOUTH AUCKLAND
14 Augst: Guthrie Bowron paint shop, Fitzgerald Ave, CHRISTCHURCH, 8.20am (knife)
14 Augst: Armourgard Van, Manurewa, SOUTH AUCKLAND, 9.35am
13 Augst: Ding Dong Dang Dairy, NORTH SHORE, 12.30pm
13 Augst: Shell Service Station, Wiri Station Rd, WIRI 6.30pm
8 Augst: Buns Bakery, Ferry Road, CHRISTCHURCH, 9pm (knife and galvanised pipe)
7 Augst: Whitecross Medical Centre, Great North Road, AVONDALE 9.40pm (metal bar)
7 Augst: National Bank, Westfield Shopping Centre, ALBANY, 2pm (pistol, customers threatened)
4 Augst: Crow Tavern, PICTON, 10.20pm
4 Augst: Westpac Bank, Main St, UPPER HUTT, 2.50pm
1 Augst: BP Connect Service Station, LOWER HUTT, 4am
1 Augst: Caltex Service Station, LOWER HUTT, 4am
1 Augst: Melbourne St Dairy, SOUTH DUNEDIN
30 July: Wespac Bank, St Martins, CHRISTCHURCH, 9am
29 July: Westpac Bank, WHAKATANE, 10.40am
28 July: Kihikihi motorcycle shop, near TE AWAMUTU, 11.20am (AOS involved)
28 July: Merlene's Dairy, PALMERSTON NORTH 11.45am
27 July: Westpac Bank, OPOTIKI, 9.38am
25 July: Taxi driver, TE ARO, days takings and cab stolen, 4.30pm
24 July: Jewellery store, TE PUKE, 11.30am
24 July: Katikati Paper Plus and Post Shop, KATIKATI, 2.25pm (sawn off shotgun)
23 July: Challenge service station, HUNTERVILLE, 9.10pm, shots fired
23 July: Valley Superette, PAPAKURA, 3.30pm
21 July: Mini Mart, MOSGIEL, night time robbery (machete)
17 July: ANZ Albany, NORTH SHORE, 2.05pm
17 July: Taxi driver stabbed and robbed, TAURANGE, early am
16 July: Village Superette, GISBORNE, just before 7am
16 July: Gossamer Liquor at Ussher Place, PAKURANGA, afternoon (machete)
15 July: ANZ Bank, FRANKTON, HAMILTON
15 July, United Video, FRANKTON, HAMILTON, 10.25pm
14 July: Suburban Store,TAHUNANUI, 6.42pm (large knife)
14 July: Howick and Eastern Buses' driver, money stolen at knifepoint
14 July: Mobil service station, TAHUNANUI, 6.52pm (large knife)
14 July: Wespac Bank, North Road, DUNEDIN, 1.45pm
12 July; Dairy, WANGANUI, 6pm. Two teenage girls armed with knives
12 July: Dairy, corner of Radley and Marshal Streets, CHRISTCHURCH, 8pm
11 July: Hills Takeaways, OTARA, 5pm
10 July: HASTINGS Darts Association, 9.30am. No information on weapons yet
9 July: Kiwibank, PALMERSTON NORTH
8 July: Bowl and Jack Tavern, CHRISTCHURCH, 9.30am. No information on weapons yet
7 July: BP Service Station, Ngaio, WELLINGTON, 9pm
3 July: Kiwi Bank, Queensgate, LOWER HUTT, 11.15am
3 July: Copper Lounge Bar, PAPAKURA, 2.40pm
30 June: Armourgard, ANZ Bank, Heretaunga Street East, HASTINGS, 7am
29 June: Kiwibank, Goodbehere St, FIELDING, 1.25pm
26 June: Victoria Dairy, Carruth Rd, PAPATOETOE, 6.20pm (rifle)
25 June: Westpac Bank, St Martins, CHRISTCHURCH
24 June: Angus Inn bottle shop, HASTINGS, 7pm
24 June: Mitcham Avenue Dairy, HAMILTON, 5.30pm
24 June: Kiwibank, Frankton, HAMILTON, 2.40pm
24 June: Westpac Bank, HAMILTON EAST, 10.10am
23 June: Kiwibank, Kuripuni, MASTERTON, 2pm
23 June: Taxi Driver, CHRISTCHURCH, pm. Driver stabbed repeatedly in neck
22 June: Worcester Tavern, Linwood, CHRISTCHURCH man robbed staff and patron, 11 am
20 June: Bedrock Bar, Addington, CHRISTCHURCH three men robbed staff & patrons,3.00am
19 June: BNZ Bank, Birkenhead, NORTH SHORE
17 June: PostShop, Mokoia Rd, Birkenhead, NORTH SHORE, 1.30pm
17 June: Kiwibank, TAKANINI, 10.40am
16 June: Armourguard van Arthur's Bar and Grill, ONEHUNGA, Akl, 1.00pm.
15 June: Spot On Dairy, GISBORNE, midday
13 June: ASB Bank, St Lukes Shopping Centre, AUCKLAND9am
13 June: ANZ Bank, UPPER HUTT, 2.20pm
12 June: ASB Bank, Blockhouse Bay, AUCKLAND 4.20pm
10 June: National Bank, Vulcan Lane, AUCKLAND, 2pm (weapon used was a screwdriver)
10 June: Caspar Dairy, PAPATOETOEe
9 June: ASB Bank, Dominion Road (Mt Roskill) AUCKLAND(Axe) 3.05pm
9 June: Kiwibank PostShop, Dominion Road, Balmoral, AUCKLAND 2.45pm
3 June: Heretaunga Hospital Store, PALMERSTON NORTH, 10am
5 June: Good Tukka Takeaway, OPOPITKI, 2 youths ages 13 & 15 arrested
5 June: Bus Driver, Lyall Bay, WELLINGTON, 8.30pm (weapon used was a screwdriver)
4 June: ANZ Bank, St Lukes, AUCKLAND
2 June: INC Technology, East Tamaki, AUCKLAND 5.18pm
29 May: TAB Dominion Road, AUCKLAND
28 May: Fairview Downs Superette, HAMILTON, 11.30.am
27 May: Armourguard van, Epsom Girls Grammar School, AUCKLAND, 2.00pm
24 May: BP Service station, WHITFORD village, 7pm
23 May: Main Street Fish n Chips, BLENHEIM, 6pm
22 May: ASB Bank, Panmure, AUCKLAND 2:30pm
18 May: Mag and Tyre Direct, New Lynn, AUCKLAND 8.30am
17 May: Pricecutter Superette, HELENSVILLE, 7.15pm
15 May: Westpac Bank, Parnell, AUCKLAND 2:45pm
14 May: Woolworths Micro @ Gull on Hewletts Rd, TAURANGA (machete)
2 May: United video, Great South Road, Manurewa, AUCKLAND 7.15 pm (baseball bat)
2 May: Westpac Bank, Kilbirnie, WELLINGTON, 11.20am
27 April: Aotea Crescent Chinese takeaway, TOKOROA at night. (* see below)
20 April: Dairy, WHANGAREI - led to a high speed chase
12 April: Shell service station, NGARUAWAHIA, 9.20pm. (Knife and baton)
11 April: Bigsave variety store, WHANGAREI (knife)
11 April: Outdoor Connection, WHANGAREI (knife)
2 April: Dairy, Lipscombe Cres. HAVELOCK NORTH. Accused was bailed & then crashed
28 March: Tower Post Office, CHRISTCHURCH, 8am
23 March: Bishopdale Discounter Dairy, CHRISTCHURCH, 7.50pm
16 March: National Bank, Manukau, S.AUCKLAND 11.45am
13 March: BNZ Bank, Manukau, S.AUCKLAND. Armourguard robbed of $200,000, 5:22pm
7 March: Alabaster Pharmacy, Merivale, CHRISTCHURCH. (Petrol poured over pharmacist)
5 March: Kingsgate TAB, Kingsgate Hotel, ROTORUA, 7.30pm
2 March: Time Zone Amusement Arcade HAMILTON, "armed"
2 March: Dissmeyer Superette, Otara, S.AUCKLAND groceries stolen
1 March: Edendale Superette, AUCKLAND cigs, ice cream and cash, 8:15am
25 February: Westpac Bank, Browns Bay, NORTH SHORE,. 11am
10 February: Il Bordello Brothel, WELLINGTON. Lone female receptionist at night
3 February: Taxi driver, Ross Crescent, HAMILTON 1.40am
2 February: ASB Bank, OREWA
1 February: New World Supermarket, CLENDON, 10am
26 January: Tiraumea Superette, PAKURANGA, 3.30pm female police officer beaten up
23 January: Dairy, Eugenia Rise Manurewa, S.AUCKLAND
19 January: Cedar Superette, Manurewa, S.AUCKLAND
16 January: Sunny Brae Dairy, Manurewa, S.AUCKLAND
14 January: 2 x Shell station, Newtown, WELLINGTON, about 5.20am and again at 9am (axe)
14 January: Caltex station, Miramar, WELLINGTON, about 8.20am (axe)
14 January: Woburn Pharmacy, Whites Line East, LOWER HUTT, 4.10pm
7 January: Westpac Bank, Onehunga, S.AUCKLAND
4 January: Wordsworth Rd superette, Manurewa, S AUCKLAND
4 January: Strawberry seller, Swanson Reserve, W.AUCKLAND, 11am
3 January: Medical Centre Pharmacy, Johnsonville, WELLINGTON, 12.20pm
New Year's eve: Shell service station, TAURANGA, weapon not specified
Also see:
Surge in brazen and violent armed robberies
* Crime victim moves out of Tokoroa because of crime
Armed robbery at girls high school

For today's posts see: latest posts

Spate of Attacks in Wellington

NZCity is reporting that people in Wellington are being advised to be aware of their personal safety after a spate of street attacks. See: Safety Advisory and Aggravated Robberies

The twin issues of street violence and New Zealand's image abroad were brought to the attention of the world's press recently following a street bashing allegation made by French rugby player Mathieu Bastareaud , which he later admitted was untrue.

The French team had previously dodged bottles thrown at them at the Carisbrook Stadium, Dunedin where they won 27-22 against the All Blacks. See: Bottles thrown

For today's posts see: latest posts

Economist Intelligence Unit's 2009 Liveability survey

The Economist's survey of liveable cities in the world has just been published naming cities in Europe, Canada and Australia as the best places to live.

The top ten comprised 4 European cities, 3 Canadian and 3 Australian.

High-scoring cities tend to be mid-sized and located in developed countries with a low population density. This gives them the enviable benefits of access to both cultural and recreational attractions, but with lower crime levels and fewer infrastructure problems than often found among larger populations.

The top 10
1. Vancouver
2. Vienna
3. Melbourne
4. Toronto
5. Perth and Calgary
7. Helsinki
8. Geneva, Sydney and Zurich

(edited to show Geneva, Sydney and Zurich in joint 8th)

Wellington, the capital of New Zealand was placed 23rd and Auckland 12th.

The highest Asian city was Osaka at 13th, with Singapore trailing in at a disappointing 54th

Gang fight at a Wellington School

More evidence that gang activities and violent behaviour in New Zealand's schools are getting out of control:

Source NZ Herald

"A 23-year-old man has pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful assembly, following a brawl in the grounds of Hutt Valley High School yesterday.

Police said a series of fights broke out shortly before 3pm after a group of three adults and six youths arrived at the school and confronted a student about a previous fight.

The school field erupted into a brawl when about 30 students went to aid their schoolmate.

About a dozen police were needed to quell the fighting and arrest the nine members of the group, who the school's principal said were wearing gang colours.

All nine were charged with unlawful assembly."
One of the 2,000 students at the school has published a video of the incident, believed to have been started by gang called the "Wax Assassins", on YouTube but it was removed soon afterwards.
However, there was an independent account of the stoush on topnews.net by Kohia Dennison which included the photograph shown above:

"After a Hutt High School student was attacked on a college sports field, nine people have been arrested.
It should be mentioned here that the three adults and six youth aged 14-17, who were not associated with college and have been charged with unlawful assembly. They will appear in court tomorrow.
Following a series of fights, which broke out just before 3pm, more than a dozen officers arrived at a spot.
During the violent fight, a cut was received by one female student after a rock was thrown at her.
It was confirmed by inspector Geoff Gwyn; Lower Hutt Police Response Manager that group confronted a student about a previous altercation involving a friend.
Mr. Gwyn said, "The group had been told to leave the college grounds earlier this morning but returned this afternoon and sought out the student. Scuffles broke out after 30 or so students went to aid their schoolmate."

The "Wax Assassins" are a youth gang from Wainuiomata with links to the Mongrel Mob

Human Rights Abuses at the school

An article on the Asia Pacific Forum.net website recently highlighted human rights abuses and bullying at the school, whereby boys were dragged onto the school field and violated by their classmates.

Concerned parents reported the incident to the Human Rights Commissioner and calls were made for a national enquiry into pupil safety and school violence:

"The Human Rights Commission is to investigate schools' anti-bullying policies to see whether children's rights to safety are being protected.
The move follows calls for a national inquiry by parents of bullying victims at Hutt Valley High School. The investigation is linked to a study by the children's commissioner into pupil safety and school violence.
Chief Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan agreed to analyse children's human rights concerns after meeting Hutt Valley parents. Her report will focus on "the right to safety and security of the person, the right to education and the rights of victims".
It will consider how human rights are addressed by schools' anti-bullying policies and make recommendations in situations in which policies are not protecting children.
The Government unveiled anti-bullying initiatives this year after a spate of school violence.

Documents issued under the Official Information Act show Education Minister Chris Carter called for urgent action amid fears that schools were not treating bullying as a priority.

Last December nine Hutt Valley High School boys were dragged to the ground and violated by a pack of six classmates.

The victims' parents wrote to the Human Rights Commission alleging a "systematic failure" by state agencies responsible for protecting children. They asked for a national inquiry into violence and human rights abuses in schools.
The commission has agreed to assist Children's Commissioner Cindy Kiro's school safety investigation, which is due to be issued in February.
The Hutt Valley parents' spokesman welcomed the investigations, saying playground violence was "a much broader issue than one school ... We're talking about child abuse".

Attempted Abductions in Wellington and a Brothel Hold-Up

From Stuff.co.nz

"Police are worried a man who tried to force a 20-year-old woman into his car late at night in Wellington could strike again.

Police are seeking help to identify the short, fat, balding Asian or Middle Eastern man who approached the woman as she walked home from a trip to her local service station in Newtown about 11.30pm on Friday.

Detective Paul Baskett told NZPA the man, who was dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans, pulled up alongside the woman and asked if she would like to get into his white four-door car.

When she refused he pulled his car across a driveway in front of her, got out and tried to wrestle her into the vehicle.

But the woman "made a lot of noise" and the man fled when two people called out from across the other side of the road.

Mr Baskett said the man's attempt to abduct the woman had worrying "sexual overtones" and police were concerned he could strike again.

Police wanted to hear from anyone who could help them identify the man, including the couple on the other side of the road who intervened.

He said the woman estimated him to be about 1.65m tall. His balding hair was closely shaved and he spoke with an accent.

The incident happened on Adelaide Rd."

Comment:

The abduction attempt bears remarkable similarities with other attacks.

One occurred 2 kms. away in the city in September of last year.

In that incident a 19 year old woman fought off an attacker who tried to drag her into his light coloured, four door car on Cambridge Terrace, near the Woburn Railway Station carpark.

She described him as being "about 173cm tall with dark skin and the appearance of an Indian or Somalian. He was wearing a dark-coloured parka type jacket with the hood up."

See this link to Google maps that shows the locations of the two attacks: LINK

In August 2005 there was an abduction attempt on a 13 year old girl in the Newton/Melrose area involving a white, 4 door car.

The attacker, who came from the direction of Melrose, was described as "tall, dark skinned, big build and possibly with facial stubble. He was wearing a bulky black hoody, and possibly dark coloured pants. "

The incident occurred at the junction of Mt Albert Road and Lavaud Street which is not far from Adelaide Street.



Brothel Hold Up

Also in the news from Wellington this morning was an armed robbery at the brothel "Il Bordello" which occurred at last night. The robber, who used a sawn off rifle, escaped with a large amount of cash.

The female receptionist, who had tried to escape during the robbery but was dragged back, is still in shock after the traumatic incident.

link: NZ News Yahoo