Five-hour assault on woman in her car

Daniel Eliu

Police were last night hunting an Auckland man who kidnapped his former partner, locked her in her own car and tormented her for nearly five hours early on Christmas Day.

They are warning the public to steer clear of Daniel Eliu, 29, who has gang connections in South Auckland, is known to carry knives and guns, and has an "extensive domestic violence-related history".

"He is considered dangerous, potentially armed and should not be approached," said Detective Constable Shaun Kennard.

He said Mr Eliu had waited outside his former partner's home in the Auckland suburb of Meadowbank on Saturday evening.

When she arrived home about 9.30pm, he grabbed her and bundled her into her car - a red 1990 Honda Prelude - before driving her to an empty carpark in Mt Wellington.

Mr Eliu then assaulted her for hours.

"She was definitely subjected to a nasty, sustained assault. She feared for her life," Mr Kennard said.

About 2.20am, a security guard in his car saw the Honda in the carpark and, thinking it looked suspicious, drove towards it.

"Its headlights were on and obviously distracted [Mr Eliu], and she managed to get out and run to safety. The offender then took off in her vehicle," Mr Kennard said.

The security guard did not give chase but instead went to the aid of the battered woman and immediately called police.

"She was obviously extremely upset, scared and in a state of shock," Mr Kennard said.

The woman, aged 29, had suffered severe bruising from the attack, which police said was not a sexual assault.

There was nothing to indicate a weapon had been used.

Mr Kennard said the woman had been treated and was recovering well.

The couple had broken up seven months ago.

Police have spoken to Mr Eliu's family and called him on his cellphone yesterday morning.

"He expressed an unwillingness to co-operate," Mr Kennard said.

Mr Eliu later sent a text message to police, repeating that he had no intention of giving himself up.

Mr Eliu is described as Pacific Islander, 192cm tall and with a large build.

He has connections with the Mongrel Mob's Notorious chapter.

Police believe he is in the Auckland region, but he also has gang connections in Hawkes Bay.

This is not the first time Mr Eliu has been on the run from police. In September 2000, he escaped from two guards as he was being escorted to the Otahuhu District Court.

He had been due to face home invasion charges relating to an incident in Hunua the previous year.

He was recaptured two weeks later.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Mr Eliu should contact the Auckland crime squad on (09) 379-4240.

Have you seen this man?

* Daniel Eliu is described as Pacific Islander, 192cm tall and with a large build.

* He has connections with the Mongrel Mob's Notorious chapter.

* He is known to carry knives and guns.