An employee of Big Bites Pizza Amberley on Carters Rd in rural Canterbury was beaten by three baseball bat-wielding men on Friday, August 4. Photo / Google
An employee of Big Bites Pizza Amberley on Carters Rd in rural Canterbury was beaten by three baseball bat-wielding men on Friday, August 4. Photo / Google
Police are asking for the public’s help investigating a “senseless” assault of a pizza shop worker - which saw the victim gagged, dragged and beaten unconscious by three baseball bat-wielding men.
The victim, “a devoted family man”, was attacked while putting rubbish out at the end of his shift at Big Bites Pizza on Carters Rd, Amberley, about 40km north of Christchurch.
Canterbury Rural Area Commander Inspector Peter Cooper asked anyone with helpful information to contact police on 105 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.
Cooper said police were “conducting extensive inquiries, including viewing CCTV following a scene examination [on] Friday night”. He confirmed police believed there were three offenders.
Pizzeria owner Narinder Warraich told the Herald the victim only arrived in New Zealand four months ago from India, where his wife and 6-year-old son remain and rely on remittance payments.
A map showing Big Bites Pizza Amberley, where a worker was gagged, dragged and beaten unconscious by three baseball bat-wielding men on Friday, August 4, 2023. Photo / Google
A social media post by the store said, “This senseless attack has left [his family] in distress and uncertainty.”
“Our employee is not just a valued team member; he is also a devoted family man with a wife and a 6-year-old son in his home country.”
Warriach said he had a “detailed chat” with the man, named Singh, about what happened and there was no clear motive.
“Someone came from behind him and hit him on his head with a baseball [bat].
“He fell onto the ground. Then another couple of guys, they drag him into a dark area in a corner.
“[They] put a cloth in his mouth so he can’t cry out, no one can listen to him, and start to beat him,” Warriach said.
Store manager Chandan Chib found the man lying on the ground after the vicious beating.
A police spokeswoman said they received an assault report on Carters Rd at about 7.11pm and confirmed one person was taken to hospital.
Warriach said Singh “can’t move. He told [me] his shoulder, his neck, it’s still painful”.
“He’s pretty scared. He just got discharged like 8am from the hospital. He’s still on painkillers,” he said.
Warriach said Amberley was a “very nice community” and he had other migrant staff who had never experienced anything like this.
A close-up, satellite map showing Big Bites Pizza Amberley, where a worker was gagged, dragged and beaten unconscious by three baseball bat-wielding men on Friday, August 4, 2023. Photo / Google
But, Warriach said, Singh’s car was damaged while it was parked about a week ago. He believed these incidents could be linked.
“[A group] tried to steal his car and he was the one who saw them and they had to run away,” he said.
“I’m not sure [whether Singh was targeted because he’s new to the country]. It could be racist because he had a turban and a beard, or it could be maybe [linked to] the [car theft].”
Warriach said he would organise counselling for Singh if he needed it.
“I will talk to him [about returning to work] later on. It’s not the right time. I just want him to recover,” he said.
“I spent the whole night last night with him in the hospital because he doesn’t have any family members here to talk with him.
“He’s the only breadwinner for his family, you know, so the whole family depend on him. I will discuss all these things with him maybe after a couple of days to see how I can support him and his family.”
Warriach said it was an unpleasant welcome for Singh, who moved here for a better life. “And now that’s happened to him, it was really life-threatening the way they beat him.”
Chib, the manager, said he had “never seen anything like this” and he and other employees were worried for their own safety.
In the store’s social media post, anyone with information who could help police was urged to come forward.
“The outpouring of support we’ve already received for our business from our wonderful community [over the] last five years has been heartwarming, and we are immensely grateful,” the post reads.
“Together, let’s demonstrate the power of unity and stand against violence, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for everyone.
“Your kind words, thoughts, and any information you can provide will make a significant difference in this difficult time.”
Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.
