Police arrest man for attacks on 3 women in Otara

Counties Manukau Police have arrested a 25 year-old Otara man on charges of sexual violation, abduction and indecent assault following attacks on three women in Otara.

At the outset Police would like to clarify that this is not the man who was recently released from prison and is the subject of recent community meetings in the Otara area.

The 25 year-old man arrested this week is facing charges relating to three separate incidents involving three different women on 3 July, 7 July and 22 September all in Otara.

He appeared in the Manukau District Court on Thursday 13 October and has been remanded in custody until 9 November.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Glossop says "All of these incidents occurred in the Otara area and the victims are Pacific and Maori women aged over the age of 17 years."

"The women all allege to have been approached and then followed by the man in his car as they walked along the street, all in the Hills Road area of Otara. The man has got out of his vehicle and pursued them on foot and sexually assaulted them."

"We have reason to believe there are other victims out there and we would urgently like to hear from any members of the public who have been approached by the man or witnessed him approaching others. The man had been living in the area of Mangere prior to January of this year so it's possible he has offended in this area too."

The man is Samoan, of medium to stocky build and approximately 175cm tall. He has a strong Samoan accent, bushy black hair, a goatee and long sideburns. He sports a Samoan design tattoo on the top of his left arm and a tattoo with Chinese symbols on his outer left forearm.

Members of the public can contact Detective Sergeant Ian McGill from the Otara CIB on 09 272 5676 or anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

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