Cracked skull after fight over scooter

A man has suffered a cracked skull after an altercation in central Dunedin.

The incident unfolded late on Saturday when an 18-year-old male was ‘‘pushed and punched’’ by an intoxicated 24-year-old, who had earlier thrown a Lime scooter towards the younger man’s friend, Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen said.

The 24-year-old hit the ground in the incident, suffering a cracked skull.

He was taken to Dunedin Hospital, and was later airlifted to Christchurch Hospital.

The teen has been charged with assault and remains in custody.

Police are also investigating another assault at Bathgate Park at 9.30pm, when a man reported being hit in the head twice from behind with an object by an ‘‘unidentified person’’. He suffered lacerations to his head.

Police also arrested a 32-yearold man, who was spotted swiping two bottles of bourbon from a central city liquor store.

He was chased down and apprehended by a ‘‘group of Mormons’’ outside Knox Church, on George St, on Sunday about

9.50pm.

Police also arrested a 33-yearold man after a fleeing driver incident on Saturday afternoon.

That was sparked after the man, who was also involved in an alleged family harm incident, allegedly committed an aggravated robbery and stole his partner’s vehicle.

Police became concerned over his welfare, and tried to arrest him as he headed towards South Otago.

While staff were in Balclutha they responded to reports of a burglary at a Honda motorcycle dealership, with the man allegedly stealing a small motorcycle.

A passing patrol saw the stolen vehicle near Milton, heading towards Dunedin.

He was nabbed by a police dog near Allanton, just south of Dunedin, and faces multiple charges, including excess breath alcohol.