Burglar link to brutal home attack

Police believe the three men who brutally attacked a father and son in their Epsom home on Wednesday could be connected to a string of burglaries across Auckland.

The car in which the attackers escaped from the King George Ave house was found yesterday. Detective Sergeant Graeme Timms said the dark green saloon, stolen on May 24, was linked to a number of burglaries which police were investigating.

He said the attack on the 63-year-old man and his 29-year-old son, originally from Hong Kong, was likely to have been a burglary gone wrong.

"It is not unusual - it looks as if the men have entered the house with the intention of robbing the place, and been surprised by the residents.

"We are unaware of anything being stolen at this stage, but that will come to light after completing the scene examination and speaking to the two victims," Mr Timms said.

The two were badly beaten with a weapon.

The father is in a stable condition after surgery on his face and head in Auckland Hospital. He also has a fractured back, believed to have been caused by the attackers running him down in their getaway car.