Police hunt man who assaulted elderly Northland resident

A man accused of assaulting an elderly Northland resident has been caught on camera.

A man broke through the ranch slider of a sleep-out at a Parakao property near Whangarei with another man on Thursday at 2.15am.

A 71-year-old man, who had been asleep at the time, woke up from the noise and went to investigate.

"He was confronted by the two men and assaulted," police said.

The men then drove off in his car, police said.

That night, the silver Mazda Tribute SUV the men had stolen from the elderly man was involved in a petrol drive-off at the Kerikeri BP service station.

CCTV footage caught one of the two alleged offenders at about 9am at the station.

Anyone who can help with identifying the man, or has information regarding the robbery and petrol-drive-off should contact Detective Evan Phillips at Whangarei police on 09 430 4500.