[ad_1]
Supplied
Police have released footage of the suspected criminals captured on CCTV footage.
A teenager has three metal plates holding his jaw in place after a group “punched” him and robbed him by shouting gang slogans on Wellington’s waterfront.
The 19-year-old spent a night in the hospital after jaw surgery. He was punched in the face after handing out rings to the group on October 2, around 3 a.m.
It comes amid growing concern over violence and the rise of gangs in the capital, with figures showing that police had identified nearly a third more gang members in the city compared to the end of 2017.
Police have said that some of the criminals, wearing blue scarves on their clothing, shouted “C’z up” before following the group of three, including the victim, who were walking towards the boardwalk after a night on the town.
‘C’z up’ is a phrase and action associated with the Crips gang, as well as the color blue.
The attackers then demanded that the group hand over their shoes, jewelry and cash.
READ MORE:
* Man guilty of assaulting a roommate after being told his girlfriend was unwelcome
* Person attacked during the theft of a car in Whanganui
* Trio arrested after alleged robbery and revenge attack
The victim’s mother said Stuff His son’s two friends escaped from the group and then the three assailants surrounded him in Waitangi Park..
“The three of them would surround him and say ‘do you have money?’ Give us your rings. He had some rings that my brother gave him in his will. They said, ‘If you give us your rings we’ll let you go, you’ll be fine.’ So he said yes, sure, then he went to walk away and the next thing that came out of nowhere he was hit. He said he heard his jaw crack. “
Supplied
Police have released CCTV footage that they are asking the public to help identify the criminals.
The victim was taken to the hospital by the police and underwent surgery the following Monday.
A police spokeswoman said investigations are ongoing.
The victim’s mother is frustrated after her son was punched “for no reason” and told he would need jaw exams for the next five years.
“I had three plates installed, which will stay there for life … It’s serious, you can’t just go hitting people. Who thinks it’s okay to do that? “
Supplied / Stuff
An X-ray of a victim who was punched on the Wellington boardwalk during a robbery shows a large fracture to the back of the jaw.
Now you are questioning public safety in Wellington at night.
This is Wellington, this is my house. Why should there be a place where no one can safely go overnight? When did it become okay for this to be accepted?
“They just want to go out with their mates and have a good time and come home and be happy and safe. When did they take that away from people? I can not understand it “.
The incident follows growing concerns about security in the central city of Wellington. Police have said that since the coronavirus lockdown was lifted, they have been witnessing a serious incident “almost every weekend” in the central city.
Mark Tantrum / Getty Images
The victim was beaten and robbed at Waitangi Park on Wellington’s waterfront in the early hours of the morning on October 3.
Data published to Stuff According to the Official Information Act, as of August 1, there were 667 gang members living in Wellington and 113 prospective gang members. In October 2017, the police registered only 485 gang members living in Wellington.
A report released by Wellington City Council this year revealed that of the city’s three central parks, Waitangi Park, Te Aro Park and Glover Park, Waitangi Park received the most complaints related to crime and antisocial behavior, 42, 8 percent.
If you know the identity of these four people, or if you are one of them, the police want to know about you. Contact the police at 105 and quote file number 201003/3670 or anonymously at Crimestoppers 0800 555111.
