Waitemata Police are appealing for public information, following the abduction and sexual assault of an 11 year-old boy in Ranui area, yesterday afternoon.
At around 3.55pm yesterday afternoon, the boy got off a train at Ranui Station and walked in the direction of Ranui Station Road, towards his home. A man driving a grey van stopped to ask the boy for directions, but abducted him. The man drove the boy to an unknown location and sexually assaulted him. The offender then drove the boy back to the Ranui and let him go. The 11 year-old boy arrived home at around 8pm.
“The victim is now recovering at home with his family. Police and Victim Support are doing everything we can to support them” says Detective Senior Sergeant Jason McIntosh, Waitemata Police.
“The victim has undergone a medical examination and specialist child interviewers are expected to speak with him today. After that we hope to have more detail about the circumstances and a description of the person we are looking for. This is a very sensitive process though and at this stage we have limited information about the offender – he has been described as driving a grey van, was by himself, and had stopped the boy to ask for directions” says Det Snr Sgt McIntosh.
“We are treating this as a priority investigation and CIB Detectives, as well as Detectives from the Child Protection Team, are working on this investigation. We are making a range of enquiries and this includes the gathering and review of CCTV footage in that area” says Det Snr Sgt McIntosh.
“I know that this will be alarming to the West Auckland community and I’d like to reassure people that we will have extra patrols in the area over the next few days. We do need to hear from anyone who has information about that grey van though. No piece of information is too small, please get in touch” he says.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Senior Sergeant Jason McIntosh on 021 191 2659.
Information can also be given anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Media: DSS McIntosh is available for interviews however media are asked not to call him directly on the number above, so that his phone is kept free for operational calls on this matter. Please call Beth Bates on mobile to arrange an interview time.