A 23-year-old man was arrested in Ōamaru, after one woman was held at knifepoint and another had her car stolen, last night.

Oamaru Senior Sergeant Jason Mccoy said police made a quick arrest after receiving a report at about 6:45pm that a man with a knife was attempting to steal vehicles near Ōamaru Hospital.

The offender had allegedly grabbed a woman out of her vehicle, holding her at knife point, before attempting to take off in her car.

When it failed to start, it was reported he climbed into another woman’s vehicle and drove off.

A man believed to be the offender was stopped shortly after on Thames Street by a police officer and taken into custody without incident.

He will face charges of aggravated robbery, and driving while forbidden, and is due to appear in Timaru District Court today (Wednesday, April 17).

Snr Sgt Mccoy said this would have have been a terrifying incident for the two victims, who were fortunately not injured. They are being supported by police. 

Police would like to thank the witnesses and members of the public who came to their aid.

“There is no place for this activity in our community, and where it does occur we work hard to hold offenders to account and support those affected,” Snr Sgt Mccoy said.