CCTV images published in the media have helped Police to identify a woman wanted in connection with stealing thousands of dollars from a 90-year-old woman in Palmerston North.
The woman is 30-year-old Kelly Awhimia Rose Tepurei, who it transpires is also wanted by Glenn Innes Criminal Investigation Branch in Auckland in connection with fraudulently using the documents of an 82-year-old woman who was the subject of a kidnapping and aggravated robbery.
The Auckland incident happened on 18 December. Two women were charged over the incident but Police appealed for information about a third woman seen on surveillance footage at the Glen Innes Liquor Shop and Superette and later identified as Kelly Tepurei.
The Palmerston North incident began on March 25 when the 90-year-old victim had her handbag stolen from a hairdressers. She cancelled her bank cards and reported the theft. On Tuesday, 30 March the victim received a call from a woman claiming to be a bank employee requesting the victim's pin number. The victim refused the request, so the caller arranged to visit and face-to-face she convinced the victim she was from the bank. That evening, with details she obtained from the victim, the offender spent nearly $3,500 from the elderly woman's account.
A woman in surveillance footage from one of those transactions in a Palmerston North supermarket has also been identified as Kelly Tepurei.
Kelly Tepurei currently lives in Palmerston North but she is known to be transient. She originates from Gisborne, is wanted for interview in Auckland, and on the night of the Palmerston North fraud and theft is known to have travelled to Wellington. She is Maori, 169cm tall, medium to large build.
If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Kelly Tepurei they are asked to contact Palmerston North Police Criminal Investigation Branch on 06 351 3600 or the Glenn Innes Police Crime Phone on 027 496 7886. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.
