9 Nov 2013

Couple hospitalised after daylight home invasion

4:44 pm on 9 November 2013

Counties-Manukau police are searching for three men involved in what they describe as a horrific, violent home invasion in Pukekohe on Friday afternoon.

A couple were assaulted, tied up and robbed at about 2pm. Both required hospital treatment, and are now recovering with relatives.

The Police say a man knocked on the door of the house on John Street, asking for a person the couple did not know.

The house in Pukekohe

The house in Pukekohe Photo: RNZ

Ten minutes later two other men, one possibly holding a firearm, entered the house and assaulted them both before taking cash and jewellery and fleeing, leaving them tied up.

Police say the man who knocked on the door was a Pacific Islander in his 30s with long black hair and a beard, wearing a red and white T-shirt.

One of the others had light brown skin with a chubby build.

Detective Sergeant Glenn Wilkinson says the attack was brazen and terrifying.

"It's an horrific and violent attack on two elderly people in the middle of the afternoon, in their own home, wher they should be safe. These guys need to be caught as soon as possible."

Police are appealing for sightings of the three men as well as a white car, possibly a Toyota Corolla, that they were driving.

The couple are in their 60s and 70s. The woman sustained a facial injury and both have been discharged from hospital.