Hundreds call hotline with sightings of Wallace

Michael Scott Wallace

Police investigating the murder of Birgit Brauer have received hundreds of calls about the driver of the abandoned Toyota Hilux - Michael Scott Wallace.

Some of the people who contacted police from throughout the country after the wanted man's identity was revealed yesterday believe they may have given him a lift in recent weeks.

Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward said police were still prioritising that information but he was confident they would find the 44-year-old woodcutter.

Mr Wallace was last seen in the Horowhenua area 10 days ago, roughly the same time as the stolen Toyota Hilux he was driving was dumped in the Ohau River.

As police yesterday made inquiries in that area, further details emerged about his background.

He is believed to have good bush skills and contacts in many parts of the country. He is also understood to have a drinking problem and stays in jobs for only short periods.

Blenheim vineyard contractor Tere Poa said Mr Wallace worked on the vineyards from about March to June.

One day Mr Wallace disappeared, leaving about half a dozen staff under him short of several weeks' wages.

"I rang and rang him and left messages and it was just his answer phone on," said Mr Poa.

Mr Poa eventually contacted Inland Revenue and the Department of Labour about Mr Wallace but is not sure if they tracked him down.

He said Mr Wallace seemed to have a drinking problem and was always being pulled up for drink-driving.

However despite that problem, he was surprised to see Mr Wallace named in connection with Ms Brauer's murder.

Mr Wallace was named after being linked to a stolen Hilux that matches the one the 28-year-old German backpacker was last seen getting into on September 20.

He is alleged to have stolen it from his most recent boss, Himatangi man Brent Cleverley.

Mr Cleverley said Mr Wallace was believed to have taken the Hilux after being wanted in connection with a drink-driving charge.

In Himatangi, where Mr Wallace's elderly mother lives, locals were yesterday reluctant to discuss the case. A woman who worked at the Himatangi Beach Store said she had spoken to a man who had had a drink with Mr Wallace a couple of weeks ago, but Mr Wallace was not believed to still be in the area.

Most locals would not discuss the case saying they had "closed ranks to protect Mr Wallace's elderly and well-respected mother".

Mr Coward said police had spoken with Mr Wallace's family but he would not discuss the nature of that contact.

Mr Wallace is understood to also have family in the Waikato, Mt Maunganui area and South Island.

Mr Coward warned members of the public not to approach him.

"If it turns out that he was responsible for the killing of Birgit then he must be considered dangerous. If members of the public see him anywhere they should contact us."

Michael Scott Wallace

* Also known as Allan Wallace and Michael Jason Hemi

* Slim to medium build, 180cm tall

* Maori, but is sometimes mistaken for a Caucasian

* Last seen with dark, curly, collar-length hair

* Anyone with information Ph: 0800 CRIMESTOP / 0800 274-637