Six arrested in relation to murder of Michael Tofts in Waikanae

Source: Radio New Zealand

Six people have now been arrested in relation to the murder investigation of a Kāpiti man, as police call for the public to come forward with information.

Michael Kenneth Tofts was found with critical injuries at home on November 19, and died at the scene in Kākāriki Grove.

Police said a gun was used in the alleged targeted home invasion.

The gun has not been found.

Several attackers were injured during the event, police said.

Six gang associates had been charged with murder, and one with being an accessory.

Detective Inspector Jamie Woods was calling for the public for any information, and for sightings of four cars.

“We believe there are people who knew this was going to happen and assisted those who carried it out,” Woods said.

Police also wanted to hear from anyone who saw or had dashcam or footage of the cars pictured between 1 and 7pm on November 19.

All cars were believed to have been in and around Paraparaumu and Waikanae around the time of the homicide and travelled to Kāpiti from different locations in the Wellington Region including the Hutt Valley.

“We also believe that after the alleged murder, the white Suzuki Swift travelled over Akatarawa Road towards Upper Hutt and the silver BMW travelled towards Paraparaumu and may have disposed of items,” Woods said.

The people in the cars were believed to be involved either directly or indirectly in the alleged home invasion and the lead-up to it, he said.

All those charged were remanded in custody to appear in the High Court in Wellington on January 23.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand