17 Jul 2012

Pair charged over attack on French tourists

4:33 pm on 17 July 2012

Two men have been charged in relation to an attack on two French tourists in the Bay of Plenty on 7 July.

Police say the tourists, both 21, were attacked and robbed of nearly all their possessions after they were picked up by two men while hitch-hiking from Mt Maunganui to Rotorua.

They say the travellers were then driven to the rear of an abandoned service station on State Highway 2 where they were assaulted.

The men's cash and money cards were stolen, as well as a pack, clothing and passports.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner says the accused were interviewed following a series of search warrants in the Bay of Plenty on Tuesday morning.

A 26-year-old from Ngaruawahia and 24-year-old from Mount Maunganui will appear in Tauranga District Court on Wednesday charged with aggravated robbery.