Eighth arrest in alleged kidnapping

An eighth man has been arrested in the Bay of Plenty overnight in relation to the suspected kidnapping of a Tauranga man and a Rotorua man.

The accused is due to appear in court today.


Another person has been arrested in relation to the suspected kidnapping of two Bay of Plenty men.

Armed police raided properties in Tauranga and Whakatane as part of a police operation targeting properties mainly associated with members of the Headhunters.

Other searches were carried out in Auckland Central and in Waitemata Police District. Six men were arrested during this operation and the seventh man was arrested yesterday in a vehicle in Northland.

Armed Offenders Squads assisted with a number of the search warrants.

Police launched an investigation on Tuesday, February 17, after a man in his 20s was allegedly abducted from a Tauranga address on Monday, February 16.

Early the following morning a second man in his 40s was abducted from a property in Rotorua. Three vehicles were stolen during the two incidents.

The older victim managed to escape several hours later, and the younger one was released that night. Both had been assaulted.

During this week's searches, police recovered a significant amount of other stolen property including vehicles and earth-moving machinery. A firearm has also been recovered.

All eight men, with ages ranging from 21 to 36, have been charged with kidnapping, aggravated robbery and participating in an organised criminal gang. Some face additional assault and firearms related offences.

One man from Whangarei appeared in Whangarei District Court yesterday and has been remanded in custody.

Another from Auckland appeared in the Waitakere District Court yesterday.

The six remaining men, all from the Bay of Plenty, will appear in court today.

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