Lower Hutt man charged over early morning Epuni incident

A 27 year old man has appeared in the Lower Hutt District Court this afternoon facing a number of charges in relation to an incident in Epuni in the early hours of this morning.

Acting Detective Sergeant Mike Eckersley of the Hutt Valley CIB says at around 2:30am this morning, it's alleged the offender gained entry to a Durham Cresent house by kicking in the front door.

"He then got two large knives from the kitchen area and entered a bedroom in the house, demanding phones from the two victims, before threatening the male victim, aged 29 years, with the knife."

Mike Eckersley says the offender then demanded the male victim go with him to a nearby ATM machine and withdraw cash for him, leaving the female victim, aged 34 years at the address.

"Police were then called and located the victim at an ATM machine in Waterloo. The offender ran from Police but was located after a short chase."

The 27 year old has been charged with aggravated burglary, attempted aggravated robbery, threatening to kill and kidnapping. He has appeared in the Lower Hutt District Court this afternoon and has been remanded in custody to reappear on 28 June 2012.

The victims were left shaken but unharmed as a result of the incident.