Punching, stomping in prolonged assault

Police are searching for five people involved in a prolonged assault in Whangarei's central business district yesterday.
Whangarei police Sergeant Anaru Roberts said a couple waiting for a taxi in Rathbone St were assaulted by a group of people about 12.45am.
"A white Honda vehicle drove past the toilets on Rathbone St where the victim and his girlfriend were waiting for a taxi.
"One person, a male Maori, got out of the car and started assaulting the female," Mr Roberts said.
"Four other people got out of the car and tried to break up the fight, however it escalated and the female victim was then punched to the ground by a female in the group. The male victim was stomped on while he was on the ground."
Neither of the victims required hospital treatment.
Mr Roberts said police had the registration number of the vehicle involved and were making inquiries.
Meanwhile, DNA testing has helped Whangarei police solve an historic burglary at the Otaika Four Square.
A 36-year-old man, who lives across the road from the supermarket, was charged on Saturday with committing the burglary.
Mr Roberts said police took a sample of blood left at the scene of the burglary and it matched a sample of blood taken from the man, who will appear in the Whangarei District Court tomorrow.
Police are also following strong leads into another burglary in the Otaika area.
A collection of DVDs and videos were stolen from an address on Otaika Rd on Friday.
"Of course the complainant knew the offender.
"The owner had seen him decamping in a vehicle from the address. He has confronted him and he denied any knowledge."
And the owner of a stolen vehicle was assaulted when he found the thief putting petrol in his car at a Whangarei service station.
Mr Roberts said the offender was located by the owner when he saw his car being filled up with petrol at a service station.
"The owner of the motor vehicle was attacked by the offender's friends," Mr Roberts said.
Police have yet to locate the offender but the vehicle was later located on Station Rd, the passenger window was smashed and the car stereo and CDs had been stolen.
A 29-year-old man has been charged with threatening behaviour, resisting arrest and assaulting police after police were called to a domestic incident in Onerahi on Saturday.
Police were called to the Moa Pl address about 10.10pm.
"The female just wanted to leave the premises but the male would not hand over the keys to the car."
The man allegedly abused and threatened police officers and a welfare officer.
He allegedly kicked and bit a police officer on the way to the police station after he was arrested.
The man will appear in court tomorrow.