Woman grabbed from car by knife-wielding man trying to steal vehicles near Oamaru Hospital

  • 17/04/2024

A man accused of pulling a knife on a woman before stealing another person's car in Oamaru has been arrested on aggravated robbery charges, police say.

The man was arrested on Tuesday night after an officer stopped him on Thames St in a car police said he had stolen a short time earlier.

"Around 6:45pm it was reported to police that a man with a knife was attempting to steal vehicles near the hospital," said Snr Sgt Jason McCoy, of Waitaki. "The offender has grabbed a woman out of her vehicle, holding her at knife point, before attempting to take off in her car. When it failed to start, he has then stolen another woman's vehicle and driven off."

Thankfully, the women were not injured, McCoy said in a statement.

After his arrest, McCoy said the 23-year-old was charged with aggravated robbery and driving while forbidden.

He was expected to appear in the Timaru District Court on Wednesday, police said.

McCoy said the robbery would've been "terrifying" for the victims.

"Police would like to thank the witnesses and members of public that came to the victims' aid.

"There is no place for this activity in our community and, where it does occur, we work hard to hold offenders to account and support those affected."

Newshub.