A man was attacked by a group of men believed to be brandishing a gun, on the doorstep of a Mornington house in Dunedin in which a baby and a toddler were present, police say.
District Command Centre deployment co-ordinator Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnison, of Dunedin, said a car containing four men pulled up outside the Walter St house about 5pm yesterday, and the men tried to gain access to the house.
It was alleged an occupant of the house had a stereo that belonged to one of the men in the car, Mr Dinnison said.
"They were refused entry by a male at the house because there was a young family inside.
"They've then assaulted that male."
Mr Dinnison said the group punched and kicked him, and he was hit with a weapon, believed to be a gun.
"He's been struck with an object - we can't confirm what it is yet," he said.
The men left without the stereo and the victim was taken to Dunedin Hospital with a moderate head injury.
Mr Dinnison said it was of concern the incident took place outside a house where a toddler and a baby were present.
Police were now looking for four men in a blue Honda, he said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dunedin police on 471-4800 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555-111.