$10,000 reward offered for information on Kahu kidnapping car

12.15pm

Police have today offered a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the car used in the kidnapping of baby Kahu Durie.

At a press conference this morning, Detective Inspector Stuart Wildon said: "If we find the car it will lead us to Kahu."

Mr Wildon said he was open to the possibility the car had been taken out of the greater Wellington area.

Detectives said on Wednesday it was essential police find the car because it was one of the few leads they had.

Since 8-month-old Kahu was snatched from her pram last Saturday, there have only been two reported sightings of cars similar to the getaway car, a two-tone blue-silver Mitsubishi.

A volunteer firefighter said yesterday that a car similar to that used by the kidnapper pulled out of a queue and sped past an accident site he was tending near Levin on the day of the kidnapping. The car nearly knocked him down.

Detective Inspector Wildon said today that the people in that queue may have been stopped in front of or behind the car that pulled out and they want to hear from them.

"Even if it was just an impatient driver, if you saw him we want to talk to you."

Another sighting of a car similar to the getaway car was reported in Wainuiomata, north of Wellington, the day of the kidnapping.

Kahu's adopted mother, prominent Maori lawyer Donna Hall and her two nieces, aged 12 and 14, were walking in St Albans Grove, Lower Hutt about midday when a gunman appeared and demanded the child.

No contact has been made by the kidnapper, nor have any ransom demands been made.

Flier distributed by police

Description of suspect

Picture: Kahurautete Durie

Picture: Kahurautete's clothing

Picture: the car being sought by police

Map

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