Police Seek Information about Vehicle Arson

Dunedin Police are seeking information about the arson of a vehicle in the city's Kaikorai Valley Road.

A resident in County Road, Dunedin, called police at 5.10am on Friday 15 April after noticing smoke coming from a vehicle parked outside the Otago Squash Club at 44 Kaikorai Valley Road, not far from Bowl Line.

The vehicle is owned and was being driven by a person facing charges in relation to the death of Mr James Ellis, whose body was found at Warrington early on Friday morning, Detective Snr Sgt Kallum Croudis said.

The vehicle had previously been parked in Gilmerton St, Corstorphine, and was taken from there sometime before 8pm on Thursday 14 April and found burnt outside the Otago Squash Club in the early hours of the morning.

The car was a green 1997 Mazda Capella, registration number BCL448.

"We are interested in anyone who may have been travelling Kaikorai Valley Road later on Thursday night through to Friday morning who may have seen people acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the Squash Club or Bowl Line," Mr Croudis said.

"We are particularly keen to hear from taxi drivers and people who drive delivery vehicles who were travelling through Kaikorai Valley Road late on Thursday and early Friday morning," he said.

"It may be that someone has seen something or offered somebody a lift from this area," he said.

Anyone with any information can contact Dunedin Police on 03 471-4800.