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UPDATED 3.30pm
A 33-year-old man has been arrested following an assault near a Sikh Temple in Takanini late yesterday afternoon.
The incident occurred at a sports complex on the temple grounds on Takanini School Road at around 5pm on June 22.
Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Taylor, of Counties Manukau CIB, said the man was taken into custody this afternoon.
“We have charged the man with two counts of assault with a weapon and one count of threats to kill.”
Police allege the man entered the temple grounds and approached a man known to him.
“He has begun to assault the man, before bystanders have intervened to stop the offending.”
During this intervention, a second person suffered minor injuries.
Security removed the man, and he was seen getting into a vehicle before police arrived.
Police later issued a clarification stating that while the incident took place on the grounds, it happened at a sports complex located next to the Takanini Sikh Temple, not in the temple itself.
Taylor said police have since spoken with the driver of the vehicle, after it was stopped in the Manurewa area later that evening.
He said the incident is not being treated as a hate-motivated crime.
“We acknowledge that this incident was confronting for those who were present at the temple at the time. However, we have established that this incident occurred as a result of a dispute between two parties known to each other.
“Both victims have since received treatment at a local medical centre and fortunately, no one was seriously injured as a result.”
Police carried out reassurance patrols around the temple following the incident.
Police will hold the man in custody overnight until he is due to appear in the Papakura District Court tomorrow.
Taylor said police will be opposing the man’s bail.
