Karate woman floors thugs

A Wellington waitress floored a pair of thugs by using her martial arts skills. Photo / Thinkstock

Two thugs got more than they bargained for when they attacked a young Wellington woman as she walked home from a nightshift at the weekend.

The 18-year-old was walking along Taranaki St, near the Salvation Army store and the old Amalgamated Video building, about 6.15am on Saturday when she noticed a man watching her. When she passed him, he attempted to grab her and pull her towards his vehicle, a maroon four-door car.

They found they were no match for the waitress who floored the pair by using her martial arts skills.

Police said they were impressed with the young woman's bravery.

"Luckily the victim has several years of karate experience and was able to fight the offender off, however, a second man attempted to grab her handbag over her shoulder. She managed to punch him before she fell to the ground," Detective Sergeant Shane Dye said.

Detective Sergeant Dye said the victim luckily managed to fend off her attackers and make her escape.

"This was a very scary attack and has left the victim extremely shaken, leaving her with a knee injury."

Police want to speak to a witness who walked past the victim as she was approaching the Taranaki Street/Vivian Street intersection.

"We believe this man may have walked towards the offenders and may hold helpful information. The victim would have been visibly upset at this time and was running south on Taranaki Street. I appeal to that person to come forward and contact police," Mr Dye said.

The first offender is described as fair-skinned of solid build, around 173cm, and about 30 years old. He was wearing a green hooded sweatshirt and dark blue baggy jeans.

The second offender was very tall and thinner than the first offender with darker coloured skin, aged around 35 years with a thick black moustache and beard, with shoulder-length straight black hair. He was wearing dark-coloured woollen gloves.

Anyone with any information should phone Wellington CIB on 04 381 2000 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

- Herald Online, NZPA