Possible link in night time approaches to women

Police are looking for information following two separate incidents where women have received unwanted attention from a male around Wellington recently.

The first incident occurred on Sunday 25 April 2010 at 4.00am in Lyall Bay. The offender followed a 35 year old woman home in her car along Apu Road. After stopping, she was approached by the offender who informed her that he was intending to search her car and then her.

Constable Stephen Davies of the Wellington Police says, "At this time the female rightly fled to a nearby address and got help."

The offender was described as a Pacific Islander, in his late 40's, with a pot belly, of short solid build, with short black messy hair and missing front teeth. He was driving a white late model station wagon.

The second incident occurred on Saturday 8 May 2010 at 11.00pm. A 25 year old woman was waiting for a bus at the corner of Adelaide Road and Luxford Street in Berhampore.

A man approached the woman and angrily demanded she get in his car which was parked nearby. She refused, before boarding her bus. The man followed the bus in his car. When she got off the bus on Riddiford Street, Newtown, he swore at her and continued his demands that she get in his car.

Constable Davies says the woman then phoned Police and the man drove off. He fits a similar description to the earlier incident in April, although he had a noticeable number of rings on his fingers and a strong Polynesian accent."

The vehicle was a white Nissan Skyline with a broken front passenger window. This vehicle has subsequently been seen on two occasions in the Newtown area.

Constable Davies says these offences had the potential for these two women to be either physically assaulted, or worse.

Police are appealing to anyone in the Lyall Bay, Berhampore or Newtown areas who saw these incidents or recognise the descriptions of the males. Anyone with information should contact Police immediately on (04) 381 2000 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.