Wanaka - Home invasion

Wanaka Police are currently investigating a Home Invasion type incident that occurred in Stratford Terrace, Wanaka last night.

Sergeant Aaron Nicholson stated that at about 10.30 pm last night, 3 men armed with weapons and wearing bandanas over their faces burst into a house in Stratford Tce. The house was occupied by two men and a woman in their early twenties. Also at the address were 3 other friends who were visiting at the time.

Sgt Nicholson stated that one of the men armed with a wheel brace hit one of the occupants over the head. The other occupants were actively intimidated by the other two offenders, one of which held a large piece of wood, while demands were made for money and drugs.

The offenders left with a small amount of cash and miscellaneous property. The injured man required medical attention receiving stitches for a head wound. No one else was injured during the incident. The 3 offenders were seen to leave on foot towards Russell Street.

Police are seeking information from members of the public who may have been in the area of Stratford Tce and Russell Street or surrounding area at the time or who may have seen the three men walking to or from the address or any other suspicious activity early that day relevant to the description of the offenders.

The offenders are described as:

1. Male Maori or Polynesian - 6ft tall, mid 20's of solid build wearing a hoodie and dark clothes.

2. Male Maori or Polynesian - 5'10" tall, early 20's of thin build wearing a hoodie and dark clothes.

3. Male Caucasian, 5'7" tall 18-20 yrs of thin build wearing dark clothing.

Sergeant Nicholson would like to reassure local residences that these types of incidents are not random and this address was specifically targeted by the offenders.