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Police have issued a warrant to arrest a man they believe was responsible for a daylight attack on a woman as she walked home in central Hamilton on Monday afternoon.
Police said the 19-year-old woman was crossing Claudelands Bridge at about 4.30pm when she was attacked.
She was dragged off the footpath into bushes on the eastern side by a lone male offender and assaulted before members of the public came to her aid.
Police wanted to hear from anyone who knew the whereabouts of Hira Tahitahi, a Maori aged in his 20s, from Hamilton.
Tahitahi was described as about 194cm tall, of athletic build, with long hair often tied into a ponytail that reaches midway down his back.
Detective Sergeant Neville Ross of Hamilton CIB said it was important Tahitahi was located to ensure he didn't strike again.
"This was a brazen attack that we can't have repeated," he said.
"Tahitahi has links to Ngaruawahia and Hamilton and our enquiries so far have failed to locate him at his known addresses. It may be he is hiding out with friends and associates unaware he is on the run and the reasons for his flight."
Anyone knowing Tahitahi's whereabouts were asked to contact Hamilton police.
- NZPA
