Fifth man arrested in body-in-car case

A fifth Vietnamese man has been arrested following the death of a 32-year-old man whose body was found in a car in south Auckland on Thursday.

The man was due to appear at Manukau District Court today charged with assault.

Four men already appeared in court on Friday in connection with the incident. A 34-year-old and a 33-year-old have been charged with assault.

A 29-year-old and a 32-year-old face charges of possession of offensive weapons.

The 33-year-old was released on bail, while the other three men were remanded in custody.

All five men will appear before Manukau District Court again on Friday.

Police launched a homicide inquiry after Thuong Si Nguyen's stabbed body was found in a vehicle in Leith Court, Papatoetoe, about 9.15am on Thursday.

Detective Inspector Mark Gutry said police were making good progress with the investigation.

"We've now completed the scene examination but the fact that all the people involved are Vietnamese has slowed things down a bit as we've needed an interpreter.

"We're just carrying on speaking to family and associates of everyone involved," Mr Gutry said.

- NZPA