At about 10.30pm on Saturday the 17th of October 2015 four students were socialising at an address on Adelaide Road, Newtown when two men, armed with extendable batons, forced themselves into the home.
The incident began when one of the occupants answered loud knocking at the front door. When he opened the door he was immediately confronted by two aggressive males, one of which assaulted him and knocked him to the ground.
The two men ordered the assaulted male to come into the lounge and lay on the floor. The other three occupants were ordered to do the same while the offenders threatened to assault them.
They were all ordered to lay their cell phones on the floor preventing them calling for Police assistance.
While one of the offenders remained in the lounge with the victims, the other male systematically went through all the rooms in the dwelling selecting items of interest to steal.
Once the offenders had removed the items, and before they left the address, they threatened the four victims and told them not to call Police.
A large amount of electronic equipment was stolen, including laptops and a television.
Detective Sergeant Haley Ryan of Wellington Police said all four victims are still extremely shaken after the incident and consequently have chosen to move out of the address. "Police believe that due to the circumstances of this incident it is highly likely that other people will know about the aggravated burglary and/or know the identities of the two males who carried it out".
The first offender is described as a Caucasian male in his 20s of skinny build and about 6ft tall. He had blonde hair that hung over his face and was wearing a grey hoodie.
The second offender is also a Caucasian male in his 20s of a larger build and taller than his co-offender. He had a scruffy beard and was wearing a black T-shirt.
Detective Sergeant Ryan said she is very keen to hear from anyone with any knowledge of this incident, no matter how insignificant they think that information may be. "Police would like to hear from anyone who may know the identity of the offenders or information about anyone trying to sell stolen electronic equipment," she said.
“What is of most concern in regard to this matter is that the two offending males were not known to any of the four victims. They appear to have been randomly victimised, so we really do need the assistance of the community to help identify those responsible,” said Detective Sergeant Ryan.
Police urge anyone with any information to contact them as soon as possible at Wellington Central Police on (04) 381 2000 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be provided anonymously.