St Johns homicide: Police seek witnesses in a white ute
Police are continuing to follow several lines of enquiry in the homicide investigation launched in St Johns during Easter Weekend. Detectives have been working over recent days to piece together the violent events that unfolded on the night of 19 April.
Police have had several members of the public come forward with information. Today, Police are appealing for witnesses in a vehicle to come forward in the investigation.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin says Police are seeking the driver of a white Toyota ute who may have been cut off by a vehicle carrying the offenders.
It has been established that prior to the fatal attack, the dark coloured SUV turned around further down St Johns Road at around 9.51pm.
“While doing so, a member of the public has had to bring their vehicle to an abrupt stop,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.
“This vehicle was a white Toyota ute with a black sports bar attached on the back, heading in a westerly direction towards the Meadowbank Shops from College Road.
“I would like to stress that the occupants of this white ute are witnesses, and they are not involved in the homicide.”
Police urge those occupants to come forward.
“I’m confident that someone will remember being cut off while they drove along St Johns Road,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.
“I urge any occupants of that vehicle to contact us as you may have crucial information to our investigation.”
Investigation continues:
Meanwhile, Police are still piecing together the victim’s movements throughout Saturday.
Police can confirm the victim had purchased items from a nearby supermarket at around 9.40pm.
He then walked on foot to the bus shelter on St Johns Road, about 400 metres away, before the assault occurred just before 10pm.
Detective Inspector Baldwin says: “The victim was subjected to a senseless attack, leaving him with multiple head injuries.
“No one should be subjected to the appalling level of violence that the victim suffered on Saturday night.
“As yet, the weapon used in the assault has not been located.”
Detective Inspector Baldwin says Police are keeping an open mind about why the attack occurred.
“We have had a number of people contact us in recent days with information, and the investigation team are working through this with some urgency.
“I acknowledge them for coming forward, and I continue to ask anyone with additional information to get in touch.”
The victim:
Police are not yet in a position to formally release the victim’s name.
“We are still working through the formal identification process with the Coroner’s Office and are speaking to his family who live overseas,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.
“The family are still in the process of notifying loved ones of what has occurred.
“It’s the news no one should have to receive, so out of respect for them I won’t be releasing further information today.”
Police seeking sightings of vehicle of interest:
Police would still like any information on a black SUV that was at the scene and left at speed following the fatal attack.
“This vehicle came to a stop near the bus shelter, with at least two offenders exiting the vehicle,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.
“There is possibly a third offender and or other occupants may have been driving this vehicle at the time, and this is forming part of the investigation.”
The vehicle fled the scene at speed towards College Road.
Anyone who saw this vehicle around the St Johns area on Saturday night is asked to contact Police.
Please contact Police online or call 105 using the reference number 250419/9858.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
Homicide investigation underway in east Auckland
A homicide investigation is underway following two assaults aboard a bus in east Auckland on Monday evening.
One man has died with a second man receiving serious injuries after they were attacked in two separate incidents aboard the number 76 bus travelling from Glen Innes towards Ōrakei.
A team of investigators are actively searching for the offender, who remains at large this morning.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, of Auckland City CIB, says Police were notified by ambulance about two separate assaults around 8pm.
At this stage Police have established the offender boarded the bus at Apirana Avenue in Glen Innes at 7.53pm.
Assault 1: Fenchurch and Taniwha Streets
“The first victim boarded the bus at 7.56pm and travelled a short distance before moving to exit the bus at 7.58pm,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says. “The only other passenger aboard initiated an attack on the victim, before he could exit the bus near Fenchurch Street in Glen Innes.”
During this assault, the victim has suffered a fatal knife wound. “The victim, is aged in his 50s, and managed to flee from the bus, before it continued on route.
Assault 2: in the vicinity of Coates Avenue and Kepa Road
The 76 bus continued on route and around 8.09pm, the second victim boarded the bus.
“A man aged in his 40s sat at the back of the bus where the offender moved towards him,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says. “The second unprovoked assault began when the offender approached the victim at the rear of the bus. The offender initiated a fight and quickly produced a knife and assaulted the victim. After a short confrontation the second victim managed to flee from the bus, along with another passenger and the bus driver near the bus stop at Coates Avenue and Kepa Road."
The offender eventually exited the bus himself and was last seen fleeing on foot.
Investigators seeking offender
Police staff have worked through the night to identify the offender responsible for both unprovoked attacks. This has included 2 scene examinations. The bus has been secured and will be examined today.
“I can advise the community that we are following positive lines of enquiry to identify this man, and our priority this morning is to locate and arrest him. Detectives are currently supported by members of the Armed Offenders Squad,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.
Police have reviewed CCTV footage from inside the bus.
Detective Inspector Baldwin says: “I’m appalled at the unprovoked violence used by this offender against two men who have done absolutely nothing wrong, and one has tragically and needlessly lost his life.
“Our investigation is still in its infancy, but we are committed to understanding the motive and exactly why such violence took place aboard a bus last night."
“I know this horrific event will leave the community unsettled, but please be assured that our investigation team is doing all we can to locate this man.”
Police have spoken with a number of people but ask anyone with additional information to come forward.
Please update Police online now or call 105 using the reference number 251208/7471 or Operation Gyle.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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72.2% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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17.3% Hmm, maybe?
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10.5% Yes!
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