Southland police hunt hooded intruder who stabbed elderly Mataura man in chest

Southland police are still hunting a hooded man who stormed into an elderly Mataura man's flat last month, demanded cash, and stabbed him in the chest.

Southland police are still hunting a hooded man who stormed into an elderly Mataura man's flat last month, demanded cash, and stabbed him in the chest.

The victim, in his 70s, was in his lounge in a block of flats on Main St when the intruder burst through his front door at around 9.45pm.

After demanding money, he stabbed the victim once in the chest with what police say is still an unknown weapon.

The offender then ran off.

Over the past fortnight, police have visited more than 80 homes in the area appealing for information.

Today, police appealed for public help in tracking the offender down.

He is aged over 30, with light coloured skin and described as being unshaven with "starey dilated eyes", approximately 1.7m tall, and wearing a grey hoodie and dark pants. During the incident offender had his hood pulled up over his head.

"Police are continuing to appeal for any information of anything noticed by people who were in the vicinity of Main St, Mataura, between around 9.30pm and 10pm on Saturday night, June 17," police said in a statement.

"Police would also like to hear from anybody who may have located any discarded clothing fitting the description given or a weapon, such as a knife, on their property after the incident."

Anyone who may be able to help police is asked to contact Gore Police station on (03 203 9300), or their local police station. Alternatively, information can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.