The three French tourists, attacked whilst they camped at the side of the road last Friday are said to be back in Northland to help police to catch the three men who beat and robbed them. For background see Three French Tourists Beaten In Northland Campervan Robbery.
The men were later named as Antonin Schopfer, 27, Guillaume Rey, 26, and Sebastien Vautier, 29, click here for an update
According to the Northern Advocate
“Three French tourists left bloodied, and one with a missing tooth after being bashed in the Far North, have returned to Northland to help police catch their attackers.
The international trio were viciously beaten in their campervan last Friday while they were parked just south of Mangamuka village.
Police believe three male Maori aged between 20 and 30 were responsible for the aggravated robbery which saw them make off with money after the tourists were bashed.
Kaitaia police Detective Sergeant Mark Robertson said two of the tourists had been left with bloody noses and one had had a tooth knocked out. They had gone to Auckland for the weekend but returned to the Far North yesterday to speak with police about their nightmare visit.
“They are here with us today going over statements,” Mr Robertson said. “They were obviously shaken by what happened but they are here helping and seem to be okay.”
The robbers left in a dark red or brown vehicle, described as an old square-shaped car.
The attack lasted between 10 and 15 minutes…”
Here’s hoping the police do catch those responsible, we’re wondering if the thugs already have convictions for violent crime and if so whether the new “3 Strikes” law will be applied to them. What a great way to show that violence toward visitors in New Zealand will no longer be tolerated.
Related posts “Tourist Beaters Up Un-Maori”
Other tourist attacks and robberies include:
A family of Swiss tourists that were assaulted and racially abused in Kaitaia, Northland
Anke Kuballa and Marc Busch from Germany who were robbed in Whangarei, Northland
Two German tourists attacked in Paihia, Northland
Two American tourists were robbed at Shipwreck Bay in Northland whilst sandboarding
Asian woman, (probably Japanese) age 22, raped in her room by 2 teenagers in a home invasion in Opotiki, Northland
Three Chinese tourists attacked and robbed at Te paki, 90 Mile Beach, Northland, by two men they’d stopped to help
French tourist Anthony Cressend, beaten and robbed at campsite in Ahipara, Northland
Two Australian tourists robbed at knifepoint for their holiday money in Te Puke, SE of Tauranga.
Japanese tourist age 23 (female) kidnapped, robbed and assaulted in Rotorua by four men
French tourist (male) raped at gunpoint near Opotiki
American peace corp twins Adam and Alex Rahmlow, 21 were robbed of all their possessions by a man they tried to help in Amberley, Christchurch.
Dutch couple raped and robbed on a campsite in Tuatapere, NW of Invercargill, whilst on their honeymoon. (Dutch govt. issued a travel warning about NZ)
Two Koreans were attacked and robbed of their possession which included a laptop computer by a man claiming to be a gang member in Blenheim.
British tourist worker sexually assaulted near Hururu Falls, Northland when she was dragged off a walking track.
Canadian tourist Jeremie Kawerninski, kidnapped, assaulted and robbed in Lower Hutt, Wellington
Dutch couple robbed and sexually attacked Haruru Falls, Northland whilst on honeymoon.
Two British women robbed and raped in their campervan at Tokomaru Bay, north of Gisborne.
Japanese tourist subjected to a prolonged and brutal sex attack in a communal area of a backpacker’s hostel in Turangi, Taupo.
Scottish woman Karen Aim brutally murdered by a youth in Taupo.
German woman Birgit Brauer murdered near New Plymouth.
Korean man Jae Hyeon Kim decapitated with a spade by white supremacist.
Japanese tourist robbed at gunpoint in Oamaru.
Irish cycle tourist Paul Mack bashed, robbed and urinated on throughout his NZ tour.
6 English and Danish tourists attacked and stabbed in Cashel Mall, Christchurch for having “foreign accents.”
Irish man Robby O’Brien beaten up in Westport.
Russian couple Denis Khotchenko and Lera Nesterova beaten and robbed in Milford, Auckland
English woman knifed and sexually assaulted in a toilet block at an A1 motor camp in Kaikoura
American campers Patrick Dykstra and Kelsey McGinley beaten and robbed at Whangarei Falls, Northland.
Australian tourist sexually assaulted on a street in broad daylight in Nelson.
Australian tourist subjected to a sex attack by Maia Crawford Rongonui whilst walking home to a backpackers in Christchurch.
Canadian tourist left with a fractured skull outside Silver Fern backpackers in Taupo.
Dutch tourist beaten and robbed at Lake Rotorua.
British man Paul Speakman and his young son beaten and robbed in a campervan at Athenree Gorge, Katikati.
Chinese woman attacked for speaking Chinese on a train approaching Petone.
Scottish visitor Stuart Martin who was left in a coma and with a boot print on his face after a street bashing in Taradale, Christchurch.
E2NZ.org 