Arrests made in course of homicide investigation

Rotorua Police have arrested three people in Murupara. Two have been arrested on charges of participation in an organised criminal group following the Police investigation into a homicide at Murupara in the early hours of Saturday morning. They were due to appear in the Rotorua District Court today.

A third person was arrested over a previous, unrelated matter.

Seventeen year old Kaine Ernest LEWIS was found unconscious in a driveway in Murupara early on Saturday morning. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at Rotorua Hospital.

Inspector Sparrow says the arrests were made in the course of the homicide investigation. The participation in an organised criminal group arrests are connected with the homicide, however, the individual involvement of those arrested in the death of Mr Lewis is still under investigation.

He says the investigation is progressing well, and through information provided to Police, the investigation team have identified further persons of interest. Due to the ongoing information, Police are unable to supply further information on this at this time.

Inspector Sparrow says gang involvement is one avenue that is being considered in the homicide investigation.

"Unfortunately we are all too aware of the presence of gangs in Murupara. Police have an ongoing, strong presence in the area and we deploy extra resources as and when required.

"We will continue to actively police gang activity in Murupara – and in fact right across the wider Rotorua area. We prioritise responding to concerns and calls over gang activities and this will continue to be a priority for us in the future.

"However, the solution to managing gangs in our communities is far wider than Police enforcement, and we will be working alongside the Murupara community to develop solutions and strategies that will work best for this area.

"This is a community that has had enough of being in the news for all the wrong reasons. Many in the community are striving to bring about a long term solution to the gang problem and we will support those citizens to achieve that.

"It won’t be easy but it is a goal worth striving for."

Police are still seeking any information relating to this incident, please contact Rotorua Police on 07 348 0099.