Two arrested for tying and beating elderly woman

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested for allegedly tying up and beating a 67-year-old woman in her Northland home this month as part of a three-week long crime spree. File photo / NZ Herald

A 14-year-old boy was one of two people arrested for allegedly tying up and beating a 67-year-old woman in her Northland home this month, one of a spate of crimes allegedly committed by the duo over a three-week period.

The woman was watching television in her home in the small settlement of Te Kopuru, 12km south of Dargaville on the west Coast, on June 11 when a masked intruder appeared and pulled her into the kitchen.

A second intruder was waiting in the kitchen and the two demanded the woman's car keys, credit cards and pin numbers, which she gave to them.

One of the intruders then "randomly" punched her in the face several times, knocking her to the ground, binding her hands with rope before driving off in her car.

Detective Sergeant Andy Bailey said a 14-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man were arrested yesterday after handing themselves in to police.

They had been persuaded to do so by family members, he said.

"We're very relieved. The victims who were involved were obviously very happy to be free of any fear from these two individuals."

The two were also allegedly responsible for an armed robbery at the Top Shop lunch bar in Dargaville on June 3.

They allegedly forced their way in about 4am but were confronted by the female occupant - who lived on the premises - and threatened her with a crowbar and demanded money, making off with about $280 from the till, acting Senior Sergeant Maria Nordstrom of Dargaville said.

They also allegedly stole a car from Te Kopuru that night and dumped it on Tana Rd, in Matakohe, about 40km southeast of Dargaville -- the same place where the 67-year-old woman's car was found abandoned.

Mr Bailey said the pair had also been charged over a string of other burglaries in the area over the past three weeks.

The 14-year-old faces 22 charges relating to about 10 separate incidents.

The 20-year-old faces eight charges relating to five incidents.

- NZPA