Hitchhiker arrested after alleged assault

The hitchhiker who assaulted a man near Wairoa on Sunday night has been arrested in Hastings. PHOTO/FILE.

Police have arrested the hitchhiker who allegedly assaulted a man at Whakaki near Wairoa on Sunday night.

Detective sergeant Daniel Kirk said a 46-year-old man from Tauranga was arrested in Hastings this afternoon.

A member of the public had stumbled across the victim at about 10:45pm on Sunday lying on the side of State Highway Two north of Wairoa.

The victim had been assaulted and his White Nissan Wingroad car stolen.

He has been in Hawke's Bay Hospital since Sunday and is now in a stable condition but requires ongoing treatment for his injuries.

Mr Kirk said police have also managed to recover the car and thanked the public for their assistance in identifying and locating the alleged offender.

The arrested hitchhiker is due to appear in the Hastings District Court tomorrow charged with aggravated robbery and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.