Teen charged over golf club attack on pizza man

Police say hitting someone in the head with a golf club is 'totally out of proportion' with stealing pizzas. File photo / Herald on Sunday

A 16-year-old boy has been charged over an attack in which a pizza delivery man was hit in the head with a golf club.

The teen will appear in Palmerston North District Court tomorrow charged with aggravated robbery.

Police are seeking a second person in relation to the incident and want to hear from anyone who has information or saw anyone acting suspiciously in the Brentwood Avenue, Croydon Avenue, and Farnham Avenue areas of Highbury in Palmerston North.

The 52-year-old victim was called to deliver pizzas to a house on Brentwood Avenue just after 11pm on Monday night, but found no-one was home.

He was leaving through the gate when a man struck him with a golf club twice - once on the thigh and once across the face, police said.

The offender was joined by another man as he made his escape towards Highbury with three pizzas.

A neighbour gave chase but was unsuccessful in catching up with the two men.

The thieves dropped the pizzas during the foot chase.

The victim was taken by ambulance to Palmerston North Hospital and was later released after receiving treatment for minor injuries.

Detective Sergeant Gary Milligan said the attack could have had serious consequences.

"Our concern is that this appears to have been planned by the offenders so that they could ambush the delivery man. Hitting someone over the head with a golf club could have had far more serious consequences and is totally out of proportion with the theft of a few pizzas."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Palmerston North CIB on Detective Constable Stephen Field at Palmerston Police on 06 351 3600.

Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

- NZ Herald staff