Man kidnapped at gunpoint and badly beaten

A South Taranaki man was viciously assaulted and kidnapped at gunpoint from his home on Tuesday, police say.

Police are seeking sightings of a green Toyota station wagon, registration ADT751, that was allegedly used in the offending.

The drama began about 4pm when two men went to the victim’s address on Iredale Rd, Detective Sergeant Chris Allemann said.

‘‘He was given quite a good hiding, he was punched about the body and face about 30 times,’’ he said.

‘‘They then took him outside at gunpoint and put him in the boot of their car and drove him around Hawera for 10 to 15 minutes.’’

‘‘It seems to have been a frenzied attack really and with the inclusion of a firearm it’s a little bit sinister.’’

The victim, who told police he didn’t know the offenders, was dropped off on Fairfield Rd, near McDonald’s, about 4.30pm and was taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm.

The car alleged to have been used in the kidnapping was later stopped driving around Hawera about 6.40pm and two males, aged 26 and 25, were arrested and charged with kidnapping. Further charges were likely, Allemann said.

The 26-year-old man, from Hawera, consented to an overnight remand in custody and will reappear in the New Plymouth District Court on Thursday.

The 25-year-old accused was released on bail after appearing before a justice of the peace in the New Plymouth District Court on Wednesday afternoon. He will reappear in court on November 16.

Police wanted to hear from anyone who saw the car driving around the Hawera area between 3pm and 6.30pm and anybody with information is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Chris Allemann on 021 191 4531 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.