Police are analysing a crucial piece of evidence in their hunt for the teenager who allegedly assaulted a pensioner in Dunedin this week.
The 75-year-old was knocked to the ground on a footpath near his home in Wakari, on Wednesday morning when the teenager allegedly hit him in the leg with his skateboard.
The man's wife, who requested anonymity, said the attack was spurred by her husband complaining about the youth riding on the path.
Constable Alana Carroll, of Dunedin, said the teenager had left his baseball cap at the scene and it was now in the hands of police.
"So we have that as evidence and we'll be getting it analysed by the forensic team.''
Const Carroll said if sufficient hair was found in the cap a DNA analysis would be performed.
The teenager was described as white, about 17-18 years old and 1.7m tall.
He was riding a longboard, significantly longer than a standard skateboard, which featured some red colouring on its deck, she said.
Police appealed for information from anyone who saw a teenager of that description riding around the Wakari area.
The injury had left the man struggling to walk.
Police were eager to catch up with the teenager, Const Carroll said.
"It's a very vicious thing to do.''
• Dunedin police (03) 471-4800, Crimestoppers 0800555-111.
