Thames-Coromandel Police are searching medical centres, as an offender involved in an aggravated burglary over the weekend may have a broken arm after being whacked with a walking stick.
The offender may also have a gunshot wound as a firearm was discharged during a struggle.
Detective Sergeant Martyn Hughes of the Thames CIB said police were called to a property on Paeroa-Kopu Rd, near Kopu at about 2.25am on Sunday morning.
"Our victims, a man and a woman, were woken by knocking at their front door.
"The woman saw a male at the door armed with a shotgun and screamed. Responding to his partner's scream the man saw a hand protruding through a gap in the door holding a pistol and he struck it with a walking stick, knocking it to the floor inside the house.''
The man then went inside and confronted the man armed with the shotgun, said Mr Hughes.
"During the struggle the shot gun has been discharged and the victim was struck on his shoulder by a third offender armed with an unknown object.''
Mr Hughes said police enquiries had been hampered as witnesses were reluctant to speak.
"A search was commenced by responding staff but it was somewhat difficult to do given we didn't have a description of the offenders and only a partial description of one of the two vehicles used by the offenders to escape in.''
One of the vehicles was described as a fish truck which Police have narrowed down to be a utility with a chiller unit on the back.
"Given the offender armed with the pistol was hit with some force by the victim's walking stick he may have suffered an arm injury, possibly even a broken arm and we're asking any medical centre in the area who may have treated someone for such an injury to contact us.
"It goes without question this incident is being treated very seriously by Police and we must reiterate the warning that unless absolutely necessary do not aggravate the situation and be compliant and if any opportunity arises for you to escape, do so, it's better to flee than fight.''
Mr Hughes asked anyone with information to phone the enquiry Thames Police team directly on 07 867 9600 or anonymously phone Crimestoppers on 0800555111.
