Three arrested over Hamilton assaults

File photo / Martin Sykes

Three women have been arrested after a series of aggravated robberies in Hamilton.

A woman was assaulted and robbed while waiting for her husband outside Westfield shopping centre on Hukanui Rd about 9.30pm yesterday.

"Her husband had just been pulling up in their van when a car had pulled up by her, a woman in the car approached her as she went to the van, assaulted her and took her handbag," Senior Sergeant Gill Meadows said.

"The couple raised the alarm by ringing 111 and while officers were canvassing the area we received a call about another incident at a Bains Ave address."

Ms Meadows said three women went to the property, where one of them previously lived, and demanded money from another woman. "Hearing a disturbance as the victim was being assaulted a female neighbour returning home from work went to investigate and was in turn assaulted and had her handbag stolen before the offenders fled," she said.

"The registration number of the cars used in the two incidents differed and it wasn't until officers were called to assist with three women trespassing at a Yates Cres (property) that one of the officers came across the vehicle we believe was involved in each robbery."

Three women, aged 17-26-years-old, were arrested and charged with aggravated robbery.

"The incidents overnight highlight the value of timely, accurate information of crimes as they happen," Ms Meadows said.

The trio are due to appear in Hamilton District Court today.

- NZPA