Arrest after double stabbing

An Auckland man has been arrested and charged following a double stabbing in Tokoroa last weekend.

Detective Sergeant Kevin Verry of the Tokoroa police said the 19-year-old had been charged with two charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Two men, aged 38, were stabbed at a party on Richmond Ave and police were called just after 2am on Sunday. The pair were treated at Tokoroa Hospital before being transferred to Waikato Hospital. They have serious stab wounds to their chests but are in stable conditions. Mr Verry said both have had surgery and he expected they would be released from hospital shortly.

Mr Verry told the Daily Post yesterday the accused man appeared in the North Shore District Court on Wednesday. He has been remanded on bail to appear in the North Shore District Court again on March 26 when police will seek to have the matter transferred to the Tokoroa District Court.

Police are continuing to investigate a suspicious fire which was started about an hour later in Richmond Ave. The fire gutted a garage and the flames were just metres away from a house where there were at least 10 people.

Mr Verry said the timing and location of both incidents lead the police to believe the fire and the stabbings are linked. "We are still trying to paint a picture of what happened. There are quite a few blanks in the picture."

Tokoroa police want to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious on Richmond Ave or who picked up any hitchhikers from Tokoroa on Sunday or Monday who were heading north. Anyone with information can call Tokoroa police CIB (07) 886 5189.