A "gutsy" family in Levin wrestled with an armed intruder during an early morning home invasion before two offenders fled.

Two men wearing balaclavas, one armed with a firearm, forced their way into a Tainui St home about 6.45am yesterday and confronted the occupants, a middle-aged Chinese couple and their son.

Acting Senior Sergeant Sarn Paroli said there was a violent struggle in which the father and son tried to wrestle the firearm off one of the intruders.

No shots were fired and the men, who were believed to be after money, fled empty-handed. They ran through a vacant section at the rear of the house and on to State Highway 57.

The victims ran to a neighbour who called police.

The father suffered an arm injury during the struggle and was taken to Palmerston North Hospital and discharged later in the day.

His son, who is in his 20s, suffered bruising. The two offenders were not believed to be known to the family, who run a local fish and chip shop.

"They are a good, law-abiding family and are really upset," Mr Paroli said. "The father and son were involved in the struggle over the firearm. Our standard advice would be to comply with anyone with a firearm, but the actions [mostly of the son] were very gutsy and motivated by a desire to protect his family."

A neighbour said the armed incident was disturbing: "It makes you wonder who will be next."

Another neighbour said she was asleep at the time. "It is very sad, a bit scary. There have been a few burglaries around here, but nothing like this before."

New Zealand Chinese Association Horowhenua-Kapiti branch president George Sue condemned the home invasion.

"It is horrific, something not to be tolerated. We do not hear of those sort of things and we do not want them."

Levin police are urgently seeking information from the public to track down the intruders.

"Descriptions of the offenders are being worked through with the victims, but they are distressed and it will take a little bit of time to get some more details.

"It is possible the offenders left in a vehicle. We are interested in talking to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious around the property or in the general area including SH57," Mr Paroli said.

A small, red, four-door sedan was seen on SH57 about the time of the incident. It was not known if the vehicle was connected, but police wanted information on the vehicle and its movements.

Contact Kay Blundell
Kapiti reporter
Email: kay.blundell@dompost.co.nz

 

- © Fairfax NZ News

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