Shaken tourist robbed at gunpoint

A Mexican hitchhiker was robbed near Raupunga in northern Hawkes Bay yesterday. Photo/Paul Taylor

Police are hunting three men who held up a Mexican hitchhiker at gunpoint in northern Hawkes Bay yesterday.

A police spokesman said the 30-year-old tourist was hitchhiking in the afternoon when he was picked up on SH2 at the Napier-Taupo Rd turn-off by three men in a ute.

The vehicle was driven north towards Wairoa and stopped at Tutira for petrol.

About 2.30pm the driver stopped the ute at the top of the Mohaka Hill near Raupunga and the tourist was ordered out at gunpoint.

One of the vehicles occupants pointed a pistol at him, and all his possessions, were taken. The vehicle then drove off along the highway. A motorist came across the tourist about 10 minutes later and alerted police.

The tourist was badly shaken, but unhurt, police said.

Detective Jason Thackeray of Wairoa police said the rattled tourist had been taken in by the Mayor of Wairoa Craig Littles family last night.

Mr Little said he invited the tourist into his home after hearing about the incident on the radio.

Mr Little said the tourist, who spoke "very good English", was relaxing at the Littles family farm near Lake Waikaremoana.

Eastern District Acting Senior Sergeant Nick Dobson said police were following a positive line of inquiry:

Eastern District Acting Senior Sergeant Clint Adamson described the firearm involved as a "handgun or pistol". The ute was described as blue. The robbers were believed to be locals, police said.