Hamilton police are anxious to catch an armed man who has confronted people in their beds, before he strikes again.
In the first incident on Sunday morning, a woman in Hillcrest woke to find a man holding her hand. The intruder fled when she screamed.
About 20 minutes after that, a man found a gunman in his house and after a brief struggle, he ran off.
Then an hour later, a woman in the halls of residence at Waikato University woke to see a man bending over her friend, who was asleep in the room. When she challenged him, he threatened her with a firearm.
Detective Sergeant Kristine Clarke told Radio New Zealand's Morning Report programme the police have stepped up patrols in the area and people should report anything suspicious they have seen recently. "Until we do find this guy there is always that concern that he will strike again."
Detective Sergeant Clarke says anyone who comes across an intruder on their own or neighbours' property should call 111 immediately.
