Victim of bizarre kidnap undergoing hand surgery

A man was having hand surgery today after a bizarre kidnapping in which he was stabbed and taken from his suburban home, and spent much of the day hiding in a remote forest, wearing only his underwear.

Police were today interviewing a woman alleged to have been involved, but were seeking an armed man, the 36-year-old victim's car, and a second vehicle used in the incident.

Hastings CIB head Detective Senior Sergeant Sam Aberahama said the victim was confronted by an armed man and woman in his home in Gascoigne Street, Raureka, about 7.15am yesterday.

He was stabbed during a struggle in which a shot was also fired. No injuries were caused by the shot.

The victim was bound with tape, forced into the back seat of his own car and covered by a blanket. He was then driven by the attacker toward Taihape.

After a rendezvous the attacker left in a second vehicle, and the victim's car was taken by the woman. She was driving when the victim escaped after loosening his bonds.

He jumped out of the car and fled into the Kaweka Forest Park.

The man, who told police he feared he would be hunted down and killed, hid for several hours before being found, staggered, dazed and confused, by a forest-gang supervisor.

He was taken to the forest headquarters and flown by the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter Service to Hawke's Bay Regional Hospital in Hastings, at about 3.45pm.

Pilot Steve Tollenaar said the weather at the time he flew in was "overcast, cold and wet".

Mr Aberahama said a woman was found by police last night and was in police custody today being interviewed. She was expected to face charges.

Few details were available on the description of the male offender, who had worn a balaclava.

The victim's missing car is a blue 1992 Toyota Corolla, registration number RR8853, and the second vehicle is a red 1986 Toyota Celica, registration number UI213.

"There is an offender out there who has a gun," said Mr Aberahama, appealing for information about the events, the whereabouts of the male offender, and the missing vehicles.

Police also want to hear of any sightings of the vehicles in Gascoigne Street and between there and where the victim was found.

Mr Aberahama was not commenting today on motives for the attack.

Police put an overnight security watch on the man's home, pending a scene examination today, and sent a team into the Kaweka Forest.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY