Please attribute to Inspector Peter Cooper, Area Commander Canterbury Rural:
Canterbury Police are continuing to investigate the incident which occurred at a house in Hanmer Springs township on Monday night around 9:30pm.
A number of people were in the house when an armed man came to the door and barged his way in and held the occupants hostage in a room.
During the ordeal, one of the victims managed to ring Police and staff were deployed to the scene.
As Police responded, the offender fled the scene by forcing a victim to drive him away in a car belonging to an occupant of the house.
The victim decided to jump from the car in order to get away from the offender. As a result, the car crashed, but the offender then proceeded to flee in the vehicle.
The victim received moderate injuries during the ordeal.
The car, a silver 2017 Nissan X-Trail, registration KQU365, was recovered by Police in Christchurch on Wednesday. A forensic examination of the vehicle is being completed today.
Police would like to hear from anyone who saw this vehicle between Hanmer Springs and Christchurch between 10pm on Monday and Wednesday afternoon.
We also want to talk to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the wider Hanmer Springs area between 8:30-10pm on Monday night. It is possible the offender had others helping him.
If you have seen the car, or have information which might help Police locate the offender or offenders in this case, please call Christchurch Police on 03 363 7400.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
We believe this incident was a case of mistaken identity and the victims were not the intended target of this attack.
We acknowledge this was an incredibly distressing experience for those involved and are ensuring they are supported at this time.
Police are working hard to find the person or people behind this hideous offending.
We want to reassure the Hanmer Springs community that this incident is being taken very seriously.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre