Tonga Police are detaining a man in relation to an alleged attack on a Korean couple outside their home in Kolomotu’a on Thursday night, 4 February.

Chief Superintendent Tevita Fifita said today police arrested the 24-year-old accused in the Central Business District on the same night of the attack. He has been charged with armed robbery and bodily harm.

"We are still looking for the other accused," Fifita said.

The attack happened when the couple who run a restaurant in Nuku’alofa were dropped off at their home. As they went to open the gate one of the attackers allegedly punched the wife and snatched her purse, while the other allegedly hit the husband with a rock on his head.

Fifita said they fled with the purse which contained up to $300 cash and the couple’s mobile phones.

The offence was reported to police and the couple was able to give a description of the alleged attackers whose faces were allegedly not covered. Police officers came and carried out a patrol in town and spotted the accused who looked like the description. They chased him down and arrested him, he said.

The purse and money have not been recovered.

"We are detaining the accused to continue our investigation in relation to the second offender," he said.