Samaritan offers tourist help
A Good Samaritan is offering to reimburse a Belgian tourist robbed of cash at knifepoint in hopes he will remember Kiwis in a better light.
But there’s even better news, police say - one of the suspected robbers was caught on CCTV footage.
The 22-year-old Belgian, who is backpacking around New Zealand, was hitchhiking near Matamata on October 15 when he had a knife pulled on him by two men.
He was forced to hand over a couple of hundred dollars in cash before being left high and dry on a rural highway.
After reading about the tourist’s encounter, a member of the Waikato community has come forward with an offer to help the Belgian out, Matamata-Piako CIB Detective Sergeant William Loughrin said.
‘‘This person wants to remain anonymous; however, after reading about the incident, they contacted police with their kind offer, wanting to ensure that the victim leaves New Zealand knowing that most Kiwis are not like the offenders that attacked him last Sunday.’’
The tourist was walking along State Highway 27 just south of the Matamata township around 5pm last Sunday when an older model red Nissan Primera pulled up beside him.
Two men inside offered him a ride.
But about five minutes into the journey, 3km south of Matamata, one of the men pulled a knife on the tourist, demanding he hand over cash.
The backpacker co-operated, handing over a few hundred dollars before being told to get out of the vehicle.
‘‘This was a cowardly attack which has changed the victim’s perspective of New Zealand forever,’’ Loughrin said.
The two men in the car were aged in their early 20s.
The driver was skinny and the front-seat passenger was of a solid build.
Police have now identified one of the pair on CCTV footage from a nearby shop.
The suspect is clearly identifiable, wearing a red cap and camouflage-patterned sleeveless vest.
He has distinctive tattoos on both forearms.
Police have also identified the older model red Nissan the men were driving on the day. It has a rear spoiler and obvious paint damage to the front of the bonnet.
‘‘From our investigation, we believe the suspects and vehicle have links back to the Bay of Plenty and, in particular, the town of Kawerau.
‘‘We are yet to establish why they were in the Waikato region.’’
Police are now seeking help to identify the man in the CCTV images.
They would also like to hear of any sightings of the red Nissan Primera in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty on the afternoon of Sunday, October 15.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sergeant Loughrin on 021 190 2963 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.