Wednesday, 13 June 2007 - 4:57pm |
National News

Wanganui Murder Enquiry - Baby Jhia Update

3 min read

Media Statement

No. 27

Detective Senior Sergeant Bensemann, the Officer in Charge of the Homicide enquiry into the murder of two year old Jhia Harmony Te Tua, said that throughout today, the Operation 55 investigation team concluded an important phase of this Murder enquiry.

From the very early hours of this morning, search warrants were executed in the Wanganui, Marton, Palmerston North and Northland areas, involving in excess of eighty Police staff.

As at 3.00pm, nine males have been arrested and charged with the murder of Jhia Te Tua. Three of these males were already in custody in Wanganui, Linton and Rimutaka Prisons. One of these arrests was made in Kaikohe and he appeared in the Whangarei District Court. The age of these offenders range between eighteen and twenty-seven years.

The number of murder arrests now totals eleven.

One further murder arrest will be made, however this person is still to be located. Operation 55 investigation staff have made active enquiries to locate this person throughout the day, without success.

There have also been five further arrests today that are unrelated to the events on 05 May 2007, which have been identified during the course of the homicide investigation. These arrests relate to drug dealing offences, kidnapping charges and unlawful possession of ammunition.

A further two persons have also been charged with Being Accessory after the Fact to Murder.

The murder offenders were appearing in the Wanganui District Court this afternoon.

Detective Senior Sergeant Bensemann said, "The picture is now very clear in respect of the events investigated on the afternoon and evening of 05 May 2007 and I am confident we know exactly who was involved and exactly what occurred. Apart from the one outstanding offender, everyone involved has now been arrested".

The Operation 55 investigation team worked extremely long hours over the last six weeks to achieve this result, sadly though it still doesn't bring that poor wee girl back to her family.

The senior members of the Wanganui Mongrel Mob were given the opportunity to cooperate with this murder investigation, but they chose to ignore this advice and then set about hindering the investigation. The Mongrel Mob will have to live with the shame of being somewhat responsible for the death of a baby, forever.

The Operation 55 Murder Enquiry didn't seem to hinder the criminal activity of certain Mongrel Mob members and I was even astounded as to how active these gang members continued to be while we investigated the murder.

I wish to thank the Operation 55 Investigation Team, as well as their partners and families, who have suffered the absence of either a father, mother or partner, for nearly six weeks - I am extremely proud of all of them.

Inspector Duncan MacLeod, Area Commander for the Wanganui Police said today that the last 39 days had been extremely difficult for his staff and those others working on this complex and protracted inquiry. "The hours they have worked have been long, the road they have travelled difficult, and many of the people they have spoken with obstructive."

"The Police staff have served the community of Wanganui and New Zealand well and all should be justly proud of their commitment, dedication and professionalism. I know I have enormous pride in the efforts of these men and women", said Mr MacLeod

Policing is about law enforcement, about holding those responsible for crime accountable for their actions.

"The support and encouragement the Wanganui Police have received from the wider community has been exceptional. I thank the Wanganui people for that support and all the information they have provided which has assisted us in today's arrests", said Inspector MacLeod

"The community of Wanganui can be assured that Policing of the City will continue with the same vigour and vitality of recent weeks, and that any offending by gangs will continue to receive a robust response from Police".

Inspector MacLeod said "These last 6 weeks have shown that the Police, Community at large and the judiciary will not tolerate the anti social, criminal activity or thuggery that is exhibited by members who are involved in or with the gangs".

"I would also like to publicly thank all those from the community who have assisted us for the last 6 weeks", he said, "the hospitality shown to staff from outside Wanganui has been very much appreciated.

ENDS.

For further information contact Inspector Duncan MacLeod, at the Wanganui Police Station, Phone 06 349 0600