Two tourists in Napier were yesterday left with only the clothes they were standing in after "good Samaritans" drove off with all their possessions.
The backpackers, from Germany and Austria, were hitchhiking to Taupo at 3pm yesterday when they were picked up on SH2 on Meeanee Quay, Westshore.
The occupants of the
car said they would drop them off at BP Bay View. But when the travellers got out of the car to get their backpacks from the boot, the motorists drove off. One of the victims tried to open the rear door of the car but it was locked.
Among their stolen possessions were passports, cameras and clothing.
Police said the theft was blatant and probably pre-planned.
The driver of the car was described as a 20-25-year-old male Maori or Polynesian of large build, about 1.7m tall, clean-shaven with short black hair.
He had a narrow tattoo - with the word "tribal" included - across his chest or neck area and was wearing a white singlet.
The passenger was an 18-20 year-old male caucasian of thin build, about 1.63cm tall, with brown crooked teeth. He was wearing a red baseball cap with streaks over it, a plain T-shirt and black shorts with two red stripes on each side.
The car is an older dark green or black sedan, possibly a Holden. The paintwork was faded.
Napier's Bluewater Hotel gave the tourists free accommodation last night. The two were today trying to obtain new passports and documentation.
Police want to speak to anyone who saw the car and its occupants yesterday either at Westshore or at BP Bay View. Anyone with information should contact Napier police on 06 8310700.
