A Kaka Point resident says he saw the men allegedly involved in a home invasion moments before ''all hell broke loose'' at the South Otago seaside settlement.
A 65-year-old woman suffered facial injuries after being assaulted by two men at her Esplanade home about 6pm on Sunday.
She was taken to Dunedin Hospital by helicopter and remains in a stable condition last night.
The woman and her husband, owner-operators of the Point Cafe and Bar, were not in a position to talk to the media yesterday.
Police said nothing was taken in the home invasion and the men's motive was unknown.
The offenders were described as either Maori or Polynesian, aged between 18 and 20, about 178cm-180cm tall and of slim/muscular builds.
Both offenders had their faces concealed during the incident and one man was wearing a dark blue hooded top, blue jeans and black shoes.
Police could not confirm whether a weapon was used, but yesterday distanced themselves from initial police reports suggesting a wooden plank might have been used.
Several marked police cars, two unmarked cars and a police van were outside the address yesterday, while officers conducted a scene examination.
Residents said the incident had shattered the peace of the normally tranquil coastal town and people were choosing to lock doors and sleep with phones beside their bed.
''Everyone is talking about it. But it has given me the willies,'' a resident said yesterday.
Another resident, who also declined to be named, said he was returning to his home before the incident when he saw two men fitting the description of the offenders.
One was sitting on the seat at Wilsher Bay with his hoodie pulled over his head, while the other man was on the other side of the road.
"Seemed to me to be a real odd situation,'' he said.
After returning to his home nearby, he was told by another resident to stay inside and lock his doors.
''From there on, all hell broke loose,'' he said.
Detective Sergeant Kate Bartlett, of Balclutha, said police were following a positive line of inquiry, but wanted to hear from any members of the public who might have witnessed the offenders entering or leaving the property.
Two members of the public, aged 55 and 65, were also assaulted by the offenders as they left the property.
Police emphasised the incident was an isolated one, but advised people to be conscious of their home and personal security.
