Serious Assault: Tauranga

Tauranga Police are investigating the cause of life-threatening injuries suffered by a 49 year old male in the early hours of Thursday morning, 29 December 2011.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg TURNER said that a Police patrol located Russell William MUNDAY, aged 49, on Devonport Road between Elizabeth Street and First Avenue, at approximately 4.50 a.m. with serious head injuries.

Mr MUNDAY remains in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital and the head injuries he suffered are considered life-threatening.

The Detective Senior Sergeant stated that Detectives are wanting to speak to all people, whether pedestrians or in vehicles, who were in the Devonport Road area between Elizabeth Street and Second Avenue between 2.30 a.m., and 5.00 a.m., on the morning of Thursday, 28 December 2011.

He stated that Police will be working to identify all those persons who were in this area from CCTV footage and encourages those persons to contact the Tauranga Police.

The Detective Senior Sergeant would also like to speak to anyone that may have found any object discarded in the central business district and the early Avenues that could be considered or possibly have been used as a weapon.

Any person who may have seen a male Maori of slim to medium build, aged 49, wearing a dark cap, sunglasses, and dark clothing in the Tauranga CBD on the morning of Thursday, 29 December, is encouraged to contact the Tauranga Police as well.

Police enquiries are focussing on a scene examination in Devonport Road utilising specialist assistance of ESR scientists, and speaking to potential witnesses.

Anyone with information can contact the Tauranga Police on 07 577 4300 or anonymously on the Crimestoppers line 0800 555 111.