Carloads of people attack man

A man was chased and beaten with metal poles, and other weapons, in a daylight attack in central Invercargill. Southland acting area commander Inspector Mike Bowman said there were two incidents on Thursday that were cause for concern and he wanted anyone with information about them to come forward. The first incident happened shortly before 3pm, when a man was speaking to some people in a vehicle near the skate park, on the corner of Tyne and Ness streets. A second vehicle arrived and occupants of both vehicles assaulted the 30-year-old man and chased him from the area, Bowman said. The assault continued with a variety of weapons as the man fled through properties. He got away from his assailants in a property on Eye St and police were called. The man was taken to Southland Hospital and was treated for a suspected broken collarbone, cuts and abrasions. He has been discharged from hospital. Around the same time, and also near the skate park, a 24-year-old British tourist was the victim of an aggravated robbery, Bowman said. A baseball bat-carrying male approached him and demanded his wallet. The wallet was handed over and a small amount of cash was taken. The wallet was thrown away, but later recovered. Bowman said the tourist has been interviewed by police and was shaken, but physically uninjured. About 6pm on Thursday a vehicle believed to have been involved in the incidents was stopped by police. A 17-year-old male occupant was arrested and charged with possession of an offensive weapon. He appeared in the Invercargill District Court yesterday and was remanded on bail to reappear on January 31. Police are appealing for information from anyone who was in the area of Tyne, Ness, and Eye streets on Thursday, as well as any CCTV footage.