Police are praising the quick thinking of a man who intervened in what witnesses say was an attempted carjacking.
On Wednesday June 13, a man approached a woman’s vehicle at the intersection of Gossamer Drive and Pakuranga Highway shortly after 2pm.
He is said to have been carrying a prop that he was using as an imitation firearm when he opened the driver’s car door and attempted to pull the woman out of the vehicle.
Sergeant Erin Johnston, Counties Manukau East Police, said a member of the public witnessed the incident and knocked the offender with their vehicle.
“The offender dropped his imitation weapon and ran from the scene where he was located a short time later at a Pakuranga address.”
Police would like to praise the actions of the witness who helped intervene.
“The victim sustained a hand injury although the nature of the injury is still being assessed. She has been provided with victim support,” Sergeant Johnston says.
A witness posted about the incident on a community Facebook page warning drivers to lock their doors and be vigilant while driving.
“It’s a sad time when you have to warn people to lock their car doors while driving,” she says.
“To think this can happen in broad daylight on a busy road is scary.
“The woman was very grateful for the quick actions of the driver and said it was very lucky she didn’t have her young children in the car.”
A 29-year-old male has been charged with aggravated robbery and was due to appear in the Manukau District Court last Thursday.
