A nurse on her way to work this morning beat off her attacker but was injured in the process.
The 48 year old woman was walking down Riccarton Avenue when she sensed someone approaching her.
A man walking up behind her hit her on the face and tried to grab her bag but she managed to hold on though falling to the ground. The male has driven off in a car parked near by.
He has then been stopped by a traffic patrol on Oxford Tce and a communications staff member has put 'two and two' together and realised it was the same offender for the earlier job.
The woman has sustained nasty injuries to her lower jaw. Detective Sergeant Mark Reid asks if anyone saw the incident about 6.30 this morning on Riccarton Avenue to call him please as a witness.
A 37 year old male will appear in the Christchurch District court this afternoon charged with assault with intent to rob and possession of cannabis. Inquiries are continuing.