Youth offenders found after spate of Hastings attacks

Sunday's incident was the second arson within two weeks at the Riverslea School, Hastings. PHOTO/FILE.

Two teenagers have been arrested following an attack on two people by horseback riders on the weekend.

Hawkes Bay CIB Detective Sergeant Craig Vining said two youths were arrested yesterday and charged in relation to a Flaxmere incident on Saturday.

While on horse-back they attacked a 19-year-old victim at Swansea Village, Flaxmere, behind the library, at about 11.30am.

At the weekend Mr Vining said the alleged offenders were wearing red and black clothing and bandannas, and initially used at least one of their horses to kick the 19-year-old victim before they climbed off, assaulted him further and took his property.

The 14 and 16 year old defendants will appear in the Hastings District Court this Friday and also next month.

Mr Vining said police would like to thank all members of the community who contacted Police with information in relation to this.

Police also have referred a 13-year-old to Police Youth Services in relation to the burglary and arson to Riverslea School, Mayfair, Hastings on Sunday.

This was the second arson within two weeks at the Riverslea School.

A group of 3-4 youths allegedly entered the school grounds at about 11am breaking into an office, stealing property and damaging a worm farm before setting fire to several areas including heaped-up vegetation placed against a classroom.

Moderate damage was sustained.

Mr Vining said police believed others were involved and were still following lines of inquiry into this.

Police were still seeking the culprit of an aggravated robbery of the Napier Pita Pit on the weekend.

At about 10am Sunday a man armed with a knife entered the restaurant on the corner of Kennedy Rd and Georges Dr.

He demanded money from the sole staff member, who placed an amount of cash into his bag. The man then left the store heading in the direction of Thackery St.

The man was wearing dark-coloured clothing, gloves, one black sock and one white sock and no shoes and carrying a black Puma backpack.

Police are searching for a light coloured (possibly grey/silver) people mover, possibly a Honda Odyssey. A vehicle of this type was seen on Georges Drive leading up to the robbery, with two males, possibly of Maori decent, in the front seats.

Further surveillance stills of the individual who robbed the store will be released when available.

- If anyone has any further information in relation to the damage to Riverslea School, they are encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Craig Vining at the Hastings Police Station on (06) 831 0700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.