KEY POINTS:
An Auckland teenager was remanded in custody yesterday after he appeared in court following the attack and robbery of two men in Taupo early on Sunday.
The 17-year-old was charged in Taupo District Court with aggravated robbery and robbery following attacks on a 32-year-old Canadian tourist and a 20-year-old local man at a bout 4am in the town centre.
Senior Sergeant Tony Jeurissen said the tourist was understood to have suffered a fractured skull, while the second man was discharged after being treated for less serious injuries.
Some property taken from one of the men has been recovered.
Mr Jeurissen said police were not seeking anyone else in relation to the attacks but wanted to hear from anyone who may have seen them.
He said it was concerning to find a 17-year-old unsupervised and allegedly committing robberies in the early hours of the morning.
"This is a 17-year-old youth from Auckland, out at four o'clock in the morning, that has to raise concerns among the community," he said.
Both attacks happened on Tamamutu St and appeared to be unprovoked.
Meanwhile, police are still investigating the brutal killing of Scottish backpacker Karen Aim in Taupo on January 17.
The 26-year-old was found on the side of a road near Taupo Nui-A-Tia College with serious head injuries and died a short time later.
Police are following leads and are confident of making an arrest.
- NZPA
