Northland police are appealing for sightings of a “distinctive” red car after a murder charge was laid over the shooting of teen motorcyclist Kyle Jenkins last week.
Officers will be deployed to checkpoints on Otaika Valley Rd, or State Highway 15, tonight as part of the sightings appeal, which would include a canvass of the area.
Earlier today, a 20-year-old man was charged with murder over Jenkins’ death. The Maungatapere 18-year-old’s body was found in a creek on Wednesday.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer said the suspect was charged in the early hours of this morning after search warrants were carried out in recent days.
“This is a significant development in our investigation which has progressed rapidly in recent days, along with information that has been coming from public appeals.”
The 20-year-old appeared in Whangārei District Court and was granted interim name suppression, RNZ reports. He didn’t enter a plea and was remanded in custody.
Jenkins’ family has been advised of an arrest being made.
“Our thoughts are with his family, as they continue to grieve the loss of a son and prepare for his funeral today,” Pilmer said.
Jenkins’ body was found by a member of the public in a creek next to Otaika Valley Rd at about 5am last Wednesday. His motorcycle was found in a nearby layby.
Police initially said the death was “unexplained” before launching a homicide investigation.
The road, part of SH15, was closed for around 36 hours amid police inquiries.
‘Distinctive’, ‘faded’ red car discovered by police
Police believed Jenkins was killed between 7pm and 11pm on January 28, Pilmer said last week. Authorities were now seeking sightings of a “distinctive” red car.
Police were also narrowing a “window of interest” where they were interested in sightings.
The car, a compact red Daihatsu, had “faded red panels on the front driver’s side of the vehicle”, according to police descriptions.
“It has since been recovered by police through the course of the investigation.”
Pilmer said: “We need to hear from anyone who saw this vehicle in the Otaika Valley Rd and Mangakahia Rd areas on Tuesday, January 28, between 8.15pm and 9.15pm.
“If you have dashcam footage, or can assist with the movements of this vehicle, please contact us.”
Police earlier appealed for dash camera footage between 7pm and 5am.
The public should also expect to see police back in the area today, Pilmer said
“Police will be conducting checkpoints in the Otaika Valley Rd area tonight, as well as an area canvass as part of our appeal,” Pilmer said.
People with information have been urged to call 105, citing file number 250129/0335.
