A man who tried to thwart a car thief in a Countdown car park in Dunedin was punched in the face by the offender, who fled in a four-wheel-drive vehicle with stolen plates.
The event unfolded at 1.15pm on Tuesday when an unknown man arrived in the Dunedin Central Countdown car park in a silver four-wheel-drive, which had stolen plates attached, Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said.
The man left the vehicle and tried unsuccessfully to enter another vehicle.
He then smashed a window to get inside and stole a radar detector.
The owner of the vehicle saw the man break in and attempted to stop him from taking the items.
The offender punched the owner in the face, then returned to his four-wheel-drive and drove off.
Police had spoken to witnesses and had been given a photo of the offender.
They were following positive lines of inquiry.
The victim did not need medical attention.
