Police say they are disgusted by the actions of a crashed driver who stole a car belonging to an elderly couple who stopped to help him.
The couple, both aged 63, stopped to help the driver yesterday afternoon on SH2 at Waihua Hill, 15km south of Wairoa. The man's car had left the road and gone over a bank, down through scrub and crashed into a tree.
Senior Sergeant Tony Bates of Wairoa police said the couple stopped and offered help to the driver of the car. They provided him with footwear to walk up the scrub-covered bank and then offered him their cell phone to call for help.
While the couple were assisting the driver, he got into the driver's seat of their car and started it. The male tried to stop the man driving off, but he was pushed aside and the offender drove off in their Mitsubishi Lancer, which contained personal items belonging to the couple.
The driver and the stolen car were found this morning in Wanganui. A man is due to appear in the Wanganui District Court today in relation to yesterday's incident. Police say they are also investigating further incidents the man may have been involved in during his journey to Wanganui.
Mr Bates said police were very concerned about the incident.
"This involved people who had stopped to provide assistance in an emergency situation. We hope that this type of activity does not deter others from providing necessary help at other emergencies," Mr Bates said.
* Any media inquiries to Eastern District Communications Manager Kris McGehan on 06 8310786 or 027 2223638.