Abduction and Indecent Assault
At approximately 7.05 pm on Thursday the 27th September a female in her 20s left the Mahurangi College swimming pool which is located on the intersection of Woodcocks Road and State Highway 1,Warkworth.
As she returned to her car which was parked near the pool she was attacked by an unknown dark-skinned male described as approximately 20 years of age, of muscular build, and wearing white coloured gloves.
The speech patterns of the offender during the assault indicated that English is not his first language.
The attack lasted a short time before the offender was scared off, possibly by the arrival or departure of other persons on the school grounds.
Uniform and CIB police members along with the Police helicopter and the Dog Squad were immediately deployed to the scene. However the offender remains outstanding at this time.
Police have continued their enquiries through the night, and forensic examinations of areas of interest will be undertaken today.
As a result of the assault the victim received injuries requiring medical treatment. She is now recuperating at home.
"This is a vicious and cowardly attack with very sinister undertones", said Detective Senior Sergeant Brett BATTY of the Rodney Area CIB. "We are following a number of lines of inquiry but seek assistance from the community to locate and apprehend this offender. I am appealing to any members of the greater Warkworth community who recognise the description provided, or who may have observed suspicious activity in or around the Mahurangi College campus either on the night in question or in the days leading up to it, to contact me immediately".
Members of the public with information can contact Detective Senior Sergeant BATTY at the Orewa Police Station on 09 4265 871 or via email at Brett.Batty@police.govt.nz. Those with information who wish to remain anonymous can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit their website www.crimestoppers-nz.org.
Police will be making no further comment on this investigation at this time.