Chainsaw rampage charges after couple argue over beer

A man in New Zealand wielding a chainsaw allegedly cut through a front door, then a pole causing a veranda to collapse before chopping a takeaway sign in half during a dispute with a woman over a box of beers. Whangarei police Sergeant Stephanie Hudson said officers were called to a Hikurangi home at about 6.50pm on Thursday.

It's believed a dispute broke out between the man and a woman over a box of Steinlager beer. The woman went out on to the veranda of the property and the man picked up a recently sharpened chainsaw.



The man allegedly started the machine up and cut through the front door then through a supporting pole that caused the veranda to collapse. Ms Hudson said the woman asked a member of public to call police. The man then allegedly approached the woman with the chainsaw still idling, police say.

She threw a takeaway sign at the man who proceeded to chainsaw it in half. It's alleged the man then pushed the woman up against a wall and pulled out a knife, before going into the house. A 25-year-old man was arrested and is to appear in Whangarei District Court next week on two charges of possession of an offensive weapon, male assaults female, two of assaults with a weapon and two of wilful damage.