Police find man wanted over couple's assault

Police have arrested the man wanted in relation to a serious assault on an elderly couple.

Douglas James Archer, 59, has been wanted since the assault last Friday in St Martins, Christchurch. In that assault, a man, aged 72, and a woman, aged 80, were attacked at their home about 1pm. Both were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

A weapon was also believed to have been used.

Archer was spotted by an uniformed police patrol in Linwood Park about 12pm today.

While he was being arrested, Archer was reported to have injured himself with a knife. Ambulance services attended the scene and he was taken to Christchurch Hospital with superficial injuries.

Detective Senior Sergeant Sweeney said charges were expected to be laid this afternoon.

Earlier, police released a photo of Archer taken by a CCTV camera at an undisclosed Christchurch location shortly after the assault.

The photo indicated Archer had shaved his head in an attempt to change his appearance, police said.

- © Fairfax NZ News