A hooded man who attacked a woman while she was walking to church early Sunday morning, near the Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa, is sought by the Tonga Police.

The Deputy Police Commissioner Soakai Motu’apuaka said they had no possible suspect at this stage but their investigation was continuing.

He said the woman was walking from Longolongo to go to church at the Seventh Day Adventist Hillard School in Pahu just before 6:00am.

“She had walked past the Police Headquarters in Longolongo and made her way down Pauliasi Road beside Teufaiva Stadium and just before she got to the JM Supermarket a hooded man attacked her. She was punched on the back of her head and she fell to the ground and screamed for help,” he said.

DPC Motu’apuaka said security guards at the supermarket heard her scream and ran over to help. They chased the perpetrator but he got away, he said.

“This guy is an opportunist with a possible criminal background, since he saw the woman walking by herself in the early morning with no one around and attacked her. She did not recognize his face but said he wore a hood,” he said.

Police advised that women and school students should make sure to always walk in numbers to ensure their safety at all times, he said.