Cowardly' home invasion

Police in Taumarunui are describing the home invasion of a man with disabilities as a "cowardly act".

The incident occurred at Manaaki Trust, in Para Street, Taumarunui on Monday (7 June), which provides support for people with disabilities and mental health conditions.

Approximately three or more men broke into the self-contained residential unit around 8pm and held down the 59-year-old man placing a blanket over his head threatening him with violence if he moved.

The remaining offenders searched through his residence and stole a flat screen TV, Freeview decoder, DVD player, packets of tobacco, meat from the freezer and other grocery items, before leaving the premises.

There is a good chance that members of the public saw these offenders walking around in the Para Street, Taupo Road area or getting into a nearby vehicle. They would have been carrying multiple New World shopping bags or larger plastic bags. It is possible that they were concealing the other property in the rubbish bags; so on first sight they may not have appeared suspicious.

Detective Sergeant Rob Savage said: "This is a cowardly act by a group of offenders who seemed to have deliberately targeted this man because of his vulnerability. The men threatened him with violence, claiming gang affiliation, presumably as a scare tactic to minimise his resistance. They have left this man traumatised and there is no place in our community for people willing to commit such despicable crimes."

The men are likely to have knowledge of the area and the Manaaki Trust facility and from listening to the men's voices the victim believes them to be Maori or Pacific Islanders.

All three were wearing dark coloured hoodies. One is described as being late teens or early 20s, about 5ft 8ins tall. Another is described as being about 6ft tall and fairly well built.

Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Rob Savage at Taumarunui Police on 07 895 8119. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.