Operation Snap update

Monday, 15 September 2014 - 4:29pm

Northland

Police are continuing to call for anyone with information that may be relevant to their investigation into alleged offending by Kaitaia man Michael Harris, as part of Operation Snap.

Harris appeared in court on September 10 on 39 charges including:

• Aggravated Wounding (drugging of a victim to facilitate an indecent assault)
• Making of intimate visual recordings
• Possession of intimate visual recordings
• Indecent Assault.

He was remanded in custody to appear again on September 18.

Those charges related to 16 adult male victims who stayed at the Main Street Lodge in Kaitaia. They were mostly overseas tourists aged between 18 and 25.

Police are now working through the process of identifying other potential victims, following a significant number of phone calls and emails received since last week.

Sixteen staff are working on the case including four staff from Auckland and Waikato.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rhys Johnston says the majority of staff are working on contacting and interviewing those who had come forward, with expert assistance from the Police electronic crime lab in Auckland, who were going through material that had been seized.

Mr Johnston says police have had a very good response to the email and 0800 appeal with more than 30 people making contact. Many of these are people who police are in the process of interviewing and providing specialist support.

“The process of identifying potential victims and linking these to the information we have obtained is ongoing, and likely to take some time. However, we encourage anyone that may have information that could be relevant to please come forward."

Mr Johnston says further charges are likely during the next court appearance on Thursday.

Potential victims or anyone who has information relating to the case can contact:
0800 SNAP01 (0800 762 701)
operationsnap@police.govt.nz

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