Arrests over tourist robbery

Two men have been arrested over the knifepoint robbery of a Belgian hitchhiker near Matamata.

The pair, aged 19 and 20, were arrested in the Bay of Plenty town of Kawerau on Thursday afternoon, Detective Sergeant William Loughrin, of Matamata Piako CIB said.

‘‘Following appeals to the public, investigators received quality information, which led police to two suspects.

‘‘CIB and local police executed search warrants at two separate residential addresses in Kawerau and arrested two local men.’’

Both were due to appear in Whakatane District Court on Friday charged with the aggravated robbery of the tourist.

The 22-year-old Belgian was hitchhiking on State Highway 27 on Sunday, October 15 when he was picked up by two men in an older model sedan.

About five minutes into the journey, the tourist had a knife pulled on him.

Those in the car demanded the tourist hand over cash before leaving him on the side of the highway.

He had about $700 stolen from him, Loughrin said.

Police later made an appeal for information through the media, which Loughrin said had resulted in invaluable information from the public.

‘‘We have informed the victim of the development and he is pleased to hear of the progress made by police.

‘‘Police would like to thank the public for providing crucial assistance in the investigation and the media for also providing valuable coverage of the appeal.’’

The tourist had since continued on his journey through New Zealand.

A Good Samaritan offered to reimburse the Belgian tourist in the hope he would remember Kiwis in a better light.

‘‘Following appeals to the public, investigators received quality information, which led police to two suspects.’’