Police are investigating after a woman was sexually assaulted by a hitchhiker in her car.
The young woman was sexually assaulted after she picked up the hitchhiker just near Pātea in Taranaki.
According to a statement by police, the woman was driving a silver 2005 Nissan Tiida when she picked up a man hitch-hiking on South Road, on the southern outskirts of Hāwera.
She continued driving south on State Highway 3 when the man forced her to pull over and sexually assaulted her in the car just north of Pātea, said Detective Sergeant Pat Yates.
Police are investigating the assault and are seeking any further information.
Anyone with information should contact Police on 105 and refer to file number 220109/5091, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
