Police are searching for a white Toyota Celica they believe is the key to a brutal home invasion where four armed men severely beat up a Hamilton man.
The four men, brandishing a firearm and a crowbar, broke into a Casey Ave property about 9.40pm on Saturday where the 25-year-old man and his girlfriend live.
The men, believed to be Maori or Pacific Islanders, threatened the couple before taking undisclosed property.
Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall of the Hamilton CIB said the man suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries including a broken jaw. He was taken to Waikato Hospital.
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Advertise with NZME.Mr Keall said stolen property was loaded into the 2003 Toyota Celica, FZK300, that belonged to the man or his girlfriend before they drove away.
"Police are seeking any sightings of the vehicle and want to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the Casey Ave area around the time of the attack," said Mr Keall.
A neighbour told other media the man's girlfriend stood on her deck screaming, "My partner's been bashed up and they've got guns."
"She just kept saying: "Please let me in, they took my cellphone, they've wrecked the whole house, they've got guns,"' the neighbour said.
It is understood the woman was not injured.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Kris Clarke on (07) 858 6200 or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
