Tauranga detectives investigating serious assault make progress

Tauranga Police investigating the cause of critical injuries suffered by a 49-year-old male in the early hours of Thursday morning, 28 December 2011, are seeking the help of the public to solve the matter.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said a Police patrol located Russell William Munday, aged 49, on Devonport Road between Elizabeth Street and First Avenue, at approximately 4.50am with serious head injuries.

Mr Munday remains in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital.

Detective Senior Sergeant Turner said detectives are still wanting to speak to all people, whether pedestrians or in vehicles, who were in the Devonport Road area between Elizabeth Street and Second Avenue between 2.30am and 5am, on the morning of Thursday, 28 December 2011.

He said Police continue to identify all those persons who were in this area from CCTV footage and encourages those persons to contact the Tauranga Police.

In particular Police want to speak to the drivers of a number of Taxi's that were in Elizabeth Street, and Devonport Road (between the Strand and First Avenue) at various times between 2.30am and 5am on Thursday, 29 December 2011.

Police would also like to speak to the driver of a maroon or red saloon that travelled up Devonport Road from the Strand at about 3.54am. (An image of the vehicle is attached to this release).

Detective Senior Sergeant Turner would also like to speak to anyone who may have found any object discarded in the central business district and the early Avenues that could be considered or possibly have been used as a weapon.

Police describe the victim Russell Munday as a Maori of slim to medium build, aged 49, wearing a dark cap, sunglasses, and dark clothing in the Tauranga CBD on the morning of Thursday, 29 December.

Police and ESR Scientists have completed an examination of a building at 132 Devonport Road that previously housed Karla's massage parlour and a residential unit where they believe Mr Munday received his injuries. A number of items of interest were located and are being examined by the ESR.

Anyone with information can contact the Tauranga Police on 07 577 4300 or anonymously on the Crimestoppers line 0800 555 111.