New Zealand / Crime

Angry customer attacks Hastings phone shop owner

18:12 pm on 30 October 2024

The incident has left the shop owner and his family shaken. Photo: Stuff / Chris McKeen

A Hastings phone shop owner who was attacked by a disgruntled customer in front of his wife and baby daughter says they have been left shaken by the incident.

FoneMate owner Hank Zheng said the man came into the shop just before 1.30pm on Monday complaining the phone was not able to connect to the 5G network, and was freezing.

The customer claimed to have bought it a few months earlier, and asked for a refund.

Zheng said the store offered a six-month warranty and offered to look at the phone and replace it if necessary.

However, when he asked for proof of purchase, the man became enraged.

CCTV footage showed Zheng being pushed violently to the floor and his distressed wife rushing to his aid.

Zheng said the police were investigating.

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