Man charged with robbery of 79-year-old woman

A south Auckland man has been arrested after an attack two weeks ago which left a 79-year-old woman requiring surgical skin grafts.

The unemployed 26-year-old from Otara was arrested today in connection with the June 13 attack on the woman while she was walking home from a doctor's visit on Great South Rd, Papatoetoe about 2pm.

The man allegedly grabbed her handbag while she was walking, dragging her across the footpath in an attempt to make her let go of her bag.

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said the woman dislocated a shoulder and broke her hand in the attack and has required surgical skin grafts since. She remains in Middlemore Hospital.

Ms Hegarty said Mangere CIB searched a number of properties in the Counties Manukau area yesterday and arrested the Otara man today.

He will appear in Manukau District Court tomorrow charged with aggravated robbery.

- NZPA