Cyclists injured in Epsom rampage were teens from Auckland Grammar

<p>A man is in custody after a series of violent events in Auckland’s Epsom this morning – in which a woman was assaulted, three teenage cyclists injured and a dog killed. </p> <p>The cyclists had been taken to Auckland City Hospital with critical, serious and moderate injuries.</p> <p>Speaking to media this afternoon, police Superintendent Sunny Patel confirmed all three cyclists were teenage boys from Auckland Grammar School who were part of a cycling club "doing something they enjoyed".</p> <p>Patel said parents had been advised of the incident, and added the boy who was in critical condition was undergoing surgery.</p> <p>"These are life-altering events."</p> <p><a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/player/newsclip/watch-moment-man-is-arrested-following-violent-rampage-in-epsom" target="_blank"><b>Watch: Moment man is arrested following violent rampage in Epsom - Watch on TVNZ+</b></a></p> <h2>Dramatic footage of arrest in Manukau Rd</h2> <p><b></b></p> <p>Patel said CCTV vision appeared to show the driver deliberately veering into the cyclists. <a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/player/newsclip/watch-moment-man-is-arrested-following-violent-rampage-in-epsom" target="_blank"><b></b></a><a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/player/newsclip/half-naked-man-said-to-have-run-over-cyclists-punched-woman-killed-dog-in-aucklands-epsom-1" target="_blank"><b></b></a></p> <p>Police said officers were first called to the intersection of Ranfurly Rd and Manukau Rd at about 7.05am to reports of a serious assault.</p> <p>Acting Detective Inspector Craig Bolton said a man had approached a female victim and without warning assaulted her, causing bruising to her face, head and upper body.</p> <p>He said a member of the public stopped to assist the victim before the offender stole the Good Samaritan’s vehicle.</p> <p>“The offender then fled in the stolen vehicle, hitting several vehicles before striking three cyclists who were riding on Manukau Rd,” Bolton said. </p> <p>Police said after the vehicle crashed at a petrol station, the offender got out and approached another member of the public who was walking her dogs.</p> <p>“The offender subjected one of the dogs to a violent assault, and sadly the dog died at the scene.</p> <p>“This has all taken place in full view of the public going about their morning commute.”</p> <h2>Fourteen serious charges to be laid</h2> <p>Police located the man on Manukau Rd and he was arrested.</p> <p>Police said 14 charges would be laid against the 49-year-old, who was under guard at Auckland City Hospital.</p> <p>He was expected to be charged later today with: two charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm; two charges of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm; two counts of assault with a weapon, two charges of failing to stop and ascertain injury; wilful ill treatment of an animal; two counts of dangerous driving; unlawful taking of a motor vehicle; attempted unlawful taking; and aggravated assault or resisting.</p> <p>He was expected to appear in court tomorrow. </p> <p>Bolton said this was an “incredibly violent event” which “unfolded very quickly”.</p> <p>“We acknowledge it has impacted many innocent people who were just going about their mornings.</p> <p>"Police are aware many people witnessed this incident, and we are appealing to the public for information and dashcam footage to come forward.”</p> <p>Patel said the accused was not wearing pants when he was arrested, and he was tasered as he was trying to strangle the dog. </p> <p>Police said he was apprehended within eight minutes of being called. </p> <h2>School 'devastated'</h2> <p>Auckland Grammar School said it was devastated by the incident, "which resulted in three of our students being struck by a vehicle and hospitalised following cycling training".</p> <p>"Our immediate priority is the health, safety, and well-being of the affected students and their families. </p> <p>"We are also ensuring that counselling and support services are made available to members of our wider school community who have been impacted by this incident. </p> <p>"We are cooperating fully with the New Zealand Police as they conduct their ongoing investigation into the incident.</p> <p>"Our thoughts are with the boys and families affected. Out of respect for their privacy, we will not be making any further comment at this time."</p> <h2>Witness describes incident</h2> <p>Earlier, a worker at TasmanFuels said he heard a loud crash as a car rammed into another in the forecourt. </p> <p>Manthan Patel told 1News a man wearing just a t-shirt got out of the vehicle and tried to steal another car, but it didn’t start. </p> <p>He said the man was extremely agitated and as he called 111, other drivers ran into the fuel shop for safety. </p> <p>The man then ran across Manukau Rd and started violently attacking a woman’s dog. He said the dog was killed. </p> <p>A huge swarm of police arrived “very fast” and arrested the man. </p> <p>ACT Party leader David Seymour, who is the MP for Epsom, said his thoughts were with those affected.</p> <p>"I will leave for police to communicate details of the incident, but there is no further danger since the one offender is in custody."</p>