Kidnapping drama lasts six hours

A woman was stabbed in the throat and then held against her will for about six hours overnight before police swooped on a car in South Auckland.


After the car was stopped a man was taken into custody and was helping with inquiries, while the woman was taken to hospital. Her injuries were not believed to be life threatening, police said early today.


The incident started at a house at Torbay on Auckland's North Shore about 9.30pm yesterday.


During a violent dispute a woman was stabbed in the throat with a knife. Passersby who heard and saw the incident called the police.


But when police arrived they found the man and woman involved had left the house in a car, a statement from Inspector Andrew Brill of police northern communications said.


Police held grave fears for the safety of the woman, and made exhaustive inquiries to establish her identity and that of the man.


A widespread search, concentrated on the South Auckland area, was made for the vehicle.


Inquiries with cellphone service providers had indicated that the man's mobile phone was operating in that area, the statement said.


About 3.30am a vehicle matching the description of the one sought was spotted by a searching patrol in the Hillpark area of Manukau City.


Police patrols converged on the area, and the car was stopped. The wanted man and the injured woman were in the car.


The woman was taken to hospital by ambulance with stab wounds to her neck.


- NZPA