Wellington home invasions ‘incredibly disturbing for the victim’, police say

Police are appealing for information after two home invasions at Wellington properties left women traumatised.

Detective Sergeant Grant Carroll said two men seen on security camera footage from near one of the break-ins in the suburb of Mount Cook could have more information, and police want to speak to them, and want help from the public to identify them.

“They may hold crucial information,” Carroll said.

The incidents had been “incredibly disturbing for the victim” in each case, he said.

In the first incident, a woman disturbed a man she did not know who was trying to climb through her window in the middle of the night, about 12.30am on Tuesday.

The man ran away when she spotted him, and she was unharmed, Carroll said.

Two days later, on Thursday 22 December, a woman in Mount Cook was woken up by a man and was assaulted, about 6.40am.

This man also ran from the scene, and officers using a police dog were unable to find him.

Carroll said descriptions of a man, given by the victims, were similar enough to each other that police believed they were could be the same person.

“He is of a large, solid build, with a large head, broad shoulders, large nostrils and dark skin. The man was wearing a large ‘chunky’ hoodie – dark grey or blue in colour – and a dark grey beanie. He has spoken in a soft, yet deep, voice.”

Police also wanted to talk to anyone with security camera footage or dashcam footage that could help.

Carroll said police were concerned about the reports.

“Every person deserves to feel safe in their home and we are committed to finding those responsible.”

Anyone with information or footage can reach police by calling 105, or filling out the Update My Report form at police.govt.nz

Anyone with information is asked to call Police on 105 or fill out a report online on their website, and to use reference 221222/6152. Or information could be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.