Disabled man threatened in burglary

An intellectually disabled man who had a blanket pulled over his head while thieves ransacked his flat, lay scared for half an hour after they had left because they threatened they would come back and stab him.

Police last night appealed for information about the intruders, who have been on the run since Monday night's "cowardly act" at the Manaaki Trust base in Taumarunui, King Country.

Facility manager Weston Kirton told the Herald the 59-year-old victim had been asleep on a couch when at least three men broke in through a sliding window.

One held a blanket over his head and threatened him, while the others stole a flat-screen TV, a Freeview decoder, a DVD player, packets of tobacco, meat from a freezer and other grocery items.

Detective Sergeant Rob Savage of the Taumarunui police said someone might have seen the men in the Para St and Taupo Rd areas or getting into a nearby vehicle.

From the men's voices the victim believes they are Maori or Pacific Islanders.

All were wearing dark hoodies.

* Anyone with information is asked to phone Mr Savage on (07) 895-8119 or the Crimestoppers line, 0800 555-111.