Security Christchurch

Hamilton Police investigating the discovery of a man’s body in a car found abandoned in the city arrested two people for murder overnight.

The dead man has been identified as Piki KINGI, a 38-year-old Hamilton man Police had been searching for since receiving reports last Friday of an alleged serious assault at a Cobham Dr address.

The Mazda car Mr KINGI’S body was found in was recovered by Police from Mansel Ave late Sunday night.

Confirming the victim’s identity, homicide inquiry head, Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Page, said Mr KINGI had suffered some serious injuries.

“And those injuries will be the subject of scrutiny during a Post-Mortem examination being carried out this morning.

“Our investigations into the Cobham Dr incident have been able to confirm the link between Mr KINGI’S death and the address and we believe this is the place where he was murdered.”

Mr Page said that link was established via a detailed scene examination which is still continuing.

“Detectives investigating these matters arrested a 48-year-old Hamilton man and a 45-year-old Hamilton woman overnight and charged them with murder.

“The pair will be appearing in the Hamilton District Court this morning, as yet their identities have not been released.”

Mr Page said the arrests came about through a combination of sound Police work and assistance from the public, assistance which he hoped would continue.

“The investigation into Mr KINGI’S murder continues and we expect to make further arrests,” said Mr Page.

Hamilton Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a man who tried to rob a City late yesterday afternoon.

And they are warning people to play it safe if confronted by a robber, not take steps that may aggravate the situation.

Detective Mark Watt of the Hamilton CIB said a man walked into the Mitcham Ave dairy about 5pm but left when he realised the number of people in the store.

“He’s returned about 5.30pm, walked up to the counter and presented a pistol at the shop attendant demanding money.

“The attendant has immediately ducked down behind the counter and the shop owner, who happened to be standing by a fridge at the end of the counter, has thrown a bottle of water at the offender which was sufficient to scare the man off.”

It was this action that has Police concerned with Mr Watt warning that the best action to take when confronted with an armed attacker is to comply with their demands.

“Obviously Police sympathise with the frustrations of small business owners but in this situation what would have happened if the bottle had hit the robber’s hand and the gun then gone off with what could have been tragic circumstances?

“We advise people that the safest course of action is to avoid heroics, do as the robber demands and phone 111 as soon as possible, money can be replaced but lives can’t.”

The offender has then fled down the hill on foot where Police believe he may have then run through adjacent netball courts to make his escape.

“The offender is described as a male Maori or Pacific Islander wearing and dark blue and light coloured beanie, dark sunglasses, a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark jeans.

“The distinctive design on his hoodie was repeated on the back though the design was larger and we’re hoping someone may recognise it in the photograph and get hold of us,” said Mr Watt.