The Area Commander of Taupo Police is praising the swift actions of officers after two men were stabbed in the town earlier this evening.
The first of three incidents occurred at approximately 5.50pm tonight on Tamamutu Street.
A group of three backpackers were walking along the street when they were approached by a man who threatened them with a knife and demanded property from them. Without warning he then stabbed one of the group and ran off empty-handed.
Shortly after that a man has approached a staff member at the rear of the Cosmopolitan club and threatened him with a knife. The staff member retreated back into the premises and locked the door and the offender fled.
The third incident was a moment later when another group of four backpackers was approached, again threatened with a knife and demands were made for property. The offender has then stabbed a man from the group and again fled empty-handed.
Inspector Steve Bullock said: “It was a fast moving situation with a number of scenes but officers reached the area within minutes and very quickly tracked down and arrested the alleged offender, preventing any risk to others. These random acts of violence are rare, and the actions of staff tonight provide an assurance that police will act swiftly and decisively.”
A 19-year-old local man is currently in custody having been arrested for assault.
The two male victims were taken through to Rotorua Hospital. While their injuries are relatively serious they do not appear to be life-threatening.
Police still have a large number of enquiries to complete and are keen to hear from anyone who was in Taupo this evening and saw or heard anything that might be relevant to this investigation.
Witnesses are asked to contact Detective Sergeant Tony Manunui at Taupo Police on 07 378 6060.