Police confirmed a 49-year-old man was arrested at 7.13am, just eight minutes after the first 111 call was made.
Woman allegedly attacked at intersection
Police said the incident began about 7.05am when officers were called to reports of a serious assault at the intersection of Ranfurly Rd and Manukau Rd.
Speaking to media this afternoon, Auckland City district commander Superintendent Sunny Patel said a man approached a female and allegedly assaulted her without warning, causing bruising to her face, head and upper body.
“A member of the public stopped to assist the victim, before this offender has stolen the good Samaritan’s vehicle,” he said.
The jogger has head injuries and has been assessed at hospital.
“It’s unknown whether the pair knew each other, but it appeared to be a random attack.”
From what police have seen on CCTV footage, three or four people came over to assist the jogger.
Police were not currently aware of anything that sparked the violence.
An eyewitness told the Herald they saw a fight between a man and a woman on Manukau Rd near the intersection with Mount St John Ave, just before 7am.
He said the pair fought in the middle of the road before the man punched the woman, knocking her to the ground. He then stole her keys, sat on a nearby fence and cried.
The man then jumped into an old RAV4-type car and swerved down the road.
Patel said the man hit a vehicle on the other side of the road and then veered into a second vehicle.
Man crashes into cyclists
Police say cyclists riding along Manukau Rd were the next group to be caught in the rush-hour violence.
“The offender then fled in the stolen vehicle, hitting several vehicles before striking three cyclists who were riding on Manukau Road,” Patel said.
The three cyclists were taken to Auckland City Hospital with critical, serious and moderate injuries.
Patel said the boys were part of a cycling club “doing something they enjoyed”.
“This will be a life-altering event,” he said.
Patel said CCTV footage appeared to show the vehicle veering towards the cyclists and striking them from behind
A witness at the scene said one of the cyclists was “sent flying over the top of the car” before landing head-first on the pavement.
“I jumped out of my car where the person was unresponsive but the group of cyclists were crowded around saying they could handle this.”
Auckland Grammar School headmaster Tim O’Connor confirmed the cyclists were students on a training ride.
“Auckland Grammar School is devastated by the serious incident that occurred on Manukau Road this morning, which resulted in three of our students being struck by a vehicle and hospitalised following cycling training.
“Our immediate priority is the health, safety, and well-being of the affected students and their families.
“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.
“We are cooperating fully with the New Zealand Police as they conduct their ongoing investigation into the incident.
“Our thoughts are with the boys and families affected.”
Attempted carjack at petrol station
The man allegedly rammed the RAV4 into the back of a white Land Cruiser at the Tasman Epsom petrol station.
Police said a woman was filling up her vehicle when it was hit at the petrol station, but managed to move out of the way unharmed.
Tasman Epsom petrol station worker Manthan Patel described the man as “aggressive and not of the right mind”, but said no customers were hurt.
Patel told the Herald people had started arriving for gas and coffee just before 7am when he heard a sound from afar.
“One damaged car came on to our site, it was already damaged … he came and tried to steal another car.
“The car’s owner and keys weren’t inside so he couldn’t start the car and then he tried another car but again the keys weren’t inside.”
Patel said the man walked towards the road while he called police.
Woman walking dogs targeted
After crashing the vehicle, the man exited and allegedly approached another member of the public, who was walking two dogs on leads.
“The offender has subjected one of the dogs to a violent assault and sadly, the dog has died at the scene,” police said.
“This has all taken place in full view of the public going about their morning commute.”
The dog walker was not assaulted.
Police assisted her and said she was “really, really upset” at the ordeal. The other dog was not harmed.
Injured cyclists are seen to by paramedics and comforted by other bystanders at the scene of a major incident in the Auckland suburb of Epsom this morning.
49yo man arrested
Police arrested the man on Manukau Rd during the attack.
Charges are being confirmed for the 49-year-old man.
“This was an incredibly violent event which has unfolded very quickly. We acknowledge it has impacted many innocent people who were just going about their mornings,” police said.
”Police are aware many people witnessed this incident, and we are appealing to the public for information and dashcam footage to come forward.”
Police confirmed there was no ongoing risk to the community and said the quick response from officers likely would have prevented further damage.