German hitchhiker robbed and left blindfolded

A German hitchhiker who accepted a ride in Rotorua on his way to Hamilton was robbed of his backpack and left blindfolded, police said today.

The 27-year-old tourist was picked up by three men on the Rainbow and Fairy Springs Road about 9.20am yesterday, Detective John Hope said.

The tourist was driven about 20km north to the Mamaku plateau where he was forced out of the vehicle and his pack and belongings stolen from him.

"He was left blindfolded as the offenders left in the vehicle," he said in a statement. The hitchhiker was not injured.

The car, believed to have been in Rotorua before the incident, was described as a late model white Holden Commodore with a rear spoiler.

- NZPA