Newstalk ZB
A man who witnessed a motorist being cut off by numerous dirt bike riders and assaulted as he tried to get away says the unruly group are getting away with “more and more” illegal acts on Auckland roads. Footage has emerged of the grievous assault on April 25 at the intersection of Pakūranga Rd and Fortunes Rd in the city’s east, showing several dirt bike riders blocking the driver’s path and swarming his vehicle at a red light. Counties Manukau East Area Commander Inspector Rod Honan confirmed police were aware of the assault and had received reports of the group driving dangerously and intimidating other motorists in the area. “At the intersection with Fortunes Rd, the riders have allegedly intimidated another driver in their vehicle,” Honan said. “The driver has exited their vehicle before having been reportedly assaulted by the riders. “It is also believed the group of riders have taken the driver’s keys to their vehicle, before fleeing the area. Police say the bikers allegedly took the driver's car keys before fleeing. “The driver made their way to safety nearby and received medical attention.” Honan said police were making inquiries into the assault but had not yet been able to identify or locate the individuals involved. A witness to the assault, who asked not to be named, told the Herald the biker group began to retreat after they intervened “to calm things down”. Others came to the driver’s aid as the alleged offenders drove away, the witness said, helping move his car off the road and contacting emergency services. While it was unclear what caused the confrontation, the witness said the bikers had shown complete disregard for others’ safety on the road “by weaving through and around motorists”, “cutting commuters off”, “swerving erratically between lanes” and “doing wheelies while yelling at pedestrians”. The driver was left “pretty riled up” after the attack, they added. “The victim told me they were reaching into his car just before he was forced to stop at the red light,” the witness said. “I believe that’s what has prompted him to get out of his vehicle to create some space. “However, as they bullied him backwards, they reached into his car, pulled his keys from the ignition and grabbed belongings from the interior.” The witness said there had been no further action taken since the assault, despite similar stories circulating within the community. “These guys are getting away with more and more by the looks of [it],” they said. Honan asked anyone with information that could assist the police investigation to contact them online, via 105 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers, using the reference number 260426/7696.
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