Fears car jackers may strike again

Police fear two men who held a couple at knifepoint in Hamilton on Friday and hijacked their car may strike again.

Auckland couple Eddy Alashoty and wife Xiaoyan Tang were stopped at traffic lights in central Hamilton about midnight when two men armed with knives jumped into the back of the couple's BMW.

The couple, who had been at SkyCity Hamilton's casino, had knives held to their throats and were told to drive to Te Kowhai Road, where they were forced out.

They were robbed of their wallets, jewellery and about $3280.

Senior Sergeant Ian Harris said such aggravated robberies were not common in the city.

"We hope it's an isolated event but if they do it once and get away with it they could be encouraged to try it again," Mr Harris said.

Police said security footage taken outside the casino showed no sign of the offenders tailing the couple. It appeared to be a random aggravated robbery.

The offenders, described as male Polynesians wearing hooded sweatshirts and aged in their 20s, drove off in the couple's brown 1995 BMW 730i. The car, registration number BNC378, has not been seen since.

Mr Alashoty told the Sunday Star Times yesterday that he pleaded with the robbers throughout the 20 minute ordeal. He tried to keep them calm and his wife calm.

"I kept telling my wife to keep focusing on the driving. She was crying and didn't know what to do.

"I said to the robbers that everything was OK, that no one needed to get hurt and that we would take them wherever they wanted to go," he said.

The couple was left stranded and sobbing for about an hour, trying to flag down passing motorists before they were helped by a security guard.

Among the items stolen were the couple's diamond wedding rings and a radio watch valued at $2500.

"Whatever's gone can be replaced. We're just very pleased we got out of that mess," Mr Alashoty said.

His wife had not slept since the ordeal and was suffering headaches.

"Even today I feel sick, I'm still in shock," she said.

Among the stolen cash was $400 the couple had won at the casino.

Police want anyone who may have seen the couple's car being driven after the robbery or who may have information on the attackers to contact Hamilton central police station on 07 858 6200.

- NZPA