Man wanted since April arrested over assault on fishermen

The 37-year-old man had been on the run for some time and was actively evading police. Photo / File

A wanted man on the run from police since early April has been arrested and charged over the serious assault of two Korean fishermen at Ti Point Wharf in Rodney.

The 37-year-old man had been on the run for some time and was actively evading police.

There were warrants for his arrest on charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

In April, two Korean fishermen, aged 30 and 28, had gone for an early morning fishing trip at Ti Point Wharf in Leigh, about 80km north of Auckland, when they were threatened by an axe-wielding man and brutally assaulted.

At the time police said one of the men suffered serious facial injuries, including a fractured cheek and jaw, as well as a head wound and cuts to his hands and his upper legs.

He was likely to require ongoing specialist treatment.

The second victim sustained cuts and bruises to his facial area and a possible fractured hand.

Police arrested and charged a 34 year-old man soon after the incident occurred but efforts to find the second alleged offender had been ongoing for several months.

This morning Taumaranui Police received information that the wanted man was at a local address and arrested the man without incident.

Detective Senior Sergeant Megan Goldie said the Korean fishermen who were victims of the assault were "very relieved".

"This was a very nasty assault which shocked members of the Rodney community.

"This man had connections in parts of the Upper North Island and despite our best efforts, had managed to get away from us until this morning.

She thanked her colleagues in Taumaranui for assisting with the arrest of the man who will appear in the Hamilton District Court tomorrow.