Police hope hat left behind in taxi stabbing may help identify offender

Police investigating the stabbing of a Wellington taxi driver a week ago hope 
a hat left by the offender at the scene may help Police locate him.

A 60 year old taxi driver was stabbed in the chest and abdomen area by a male 
passenger in Shropshire Ave, Wilton about 12:30am on Saturday 26 March, after 
picking him up at the Bay Road taxi rank in Kilbirnie about 12:15am.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Dunn of the Wellington CIB says the 
offender left a blue New Era baseball-style cap in the taxi, which Police 
hope may assist them in identifying the offender.

"We know that New Era caps are very popular but we want to know, do you know 
a male who wears this type of hat, and who hasn't worn it since early 
Saturday morning?"

The offender is described as a short Maori or Pacific Islander, aged around 
20 years, of thin build. He was wearing a blue or black hooded jacket, white 
shoes and blue or black trousers, possibly jeans.

The offender fled the taxi after the stabbing and ran up a stairway at the 
end of Shropshire Ave but Police are unsure of his movements beyond that 
point.

Steve Dunn says, "This indicates that the offender may have a connection in 
some way to the Wilton area. It's not clear what the offender's motive was, 
given that he didn't take any cash or property when fleeing, and no demands 
were made."

Police believe the offender will have had a significant amount of blood on 
his clothing, following the incident.

"We appeal to anyone who has had a family member, friend or partner who may 
have come home in the early hours of Saturday morning with bloodied clothing, 
keen to either dispose of it or wash it."

Police are also asking any Kilbirnie retailers or businesses, like food 
outlets, which were open in the early hours of Saturday morning, to contact 
Police if they may recall seeing a man fitting this description.

Steve Dunn says, "The victim was very lucky his injuries were not 
life-threatening, given the seriousness and potential consequences of such an 
attack. We really need help from the public to help us identify this 
offender."


Anyone with any information should contact the Wellington CIB Crime Squad on 
(04) 381 2000 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

End.


Please view the full news release online at:

http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/27631.html


Reuters journalists under attack in Syria, Libya

New York, March 30, 2011--Reuters said today it was urgently seeking the safe return of two of its veteran journalists in Syria, one of whom was said to be in state custody while the other was reported missing. In Libya, meanwhile, a Reuters correspondent was expelled today without explanation.

Citing diplomatic sources, Reuters said correspondent Suleiman al-Khalidi, a Jordanian national, had been detained in Damascus on Tuesday. The Jordanian Foreign Minister said in a Twitter post that he was monitoring al-Khalidi's case closely.

Reuters also said Damascus-based photographer Khaled al-Hariri, a Syrian national, has not been heard from since Monday. The news agency said al-Hariri was last seen at the agency's Damascus bureau on Monday morning.

 

http://www.cpj.org/2011/03/reuters-journalists-under-attack-in-syria-libya.php

New Community Patrols for Wellington's eastern and southern suburbs

Wellington's eastern and southern suburbs are set to become even safer, with the establishment of two new Community Patrols, which begin operation tomorrow night.

Newtown Community Constable Dean Adams says a total of 35 volunteers have been trained by Community Patrols New Zealand (CPNZ) and are ready to hit the streets tomorrow night.

"Each Community Patrol will have a geographical area to patrol and they'll be logged on to the Police Central Communications Centre whilst on their shift, meaning they can report any crime as it happens via a cell phone."

Other non-urgent activity observed will be logged and reviewed by Police after each shift.

Constable Adams says it's not too late for those in the eastern and southern suburbs to become Community Patrol volunteers.

"There are plenty of opportunities to have an ongoing involvement in these new Community Patrols and sponsorship is also needed to help offset the cost of rising petrol prices."

He says, "Policing our communities is everyone's business. These new Community Patrols will help to act as the eyes and ears for the Police, helping to keep our communities safe. It's great to finally have these new patrols, complementing two other existing Community Patrols already in operation."

The Eastern Suburbs Community Patrol will operate on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, with the Southern Suburbs Community Patrol operating on Friday and Saturday nights.

ENDS
Please view the full news release online at:

http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/27608.html