Two people have been arrested for the daylight assault of a man following a road rage incident in Te Aroha.
Detective Sergeant Ben Norman said the attack – on the afternoon of September 20 on Ema Street in Te Aroha – was a “vicious, unprovoked attack” on a 65-year-old man following a near miss in his vehicle with two dirt bike riders coming from the Hauraki Rail Trail.
The assault caused him serious injuries requiring a period of hospitalisation.
Detective Sergeant Norman said when police attended, the offenders had both fled the scene in the direction of the rail trail, but on Tuesday, Eastern Waikato Police executed a search warrant at a local address, locating the bikes involved and arresting a 34-year-old man for the assault.
The man appeared in the Hamilton District Court on Wednesday facing a serious assault charge and a second younger male involved has been referred to Youth Aid Services.
Police would like to thank the Te Aroha community for their assistance in identifying those responsible.
“This was an appalling and unprovoked attack of an elderly member of our community,” Detective Sergeant Norman said.
Police would also like to remind those in the community riding unregistered trail bikes that the rail trail is not a dirt bike trail.
Riders should stick to dedicated dirt bike trail areas or they could potentially face enforcement action from Police.
DETAILS: Police would still like to hear from any other witnesses to this assault. Please call Police on 105 or go online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 using ‘Update Report’ and referencing file number 230920/6316.
A scene guard has been in place overnight, and Police will be working with fire investigators to determine the cause of the fire. FILE PHOTO
