Man faces kidnap and rape charges after missing woman found

A 29-year-old Tauranga man has been charged with kidnapping, rape and assault after a missing Auckland woman was found in a car with him in Taranaki yesterday.

The man was to appear in New Plymouth District Court today.

Counties Manukau police said the 20-year-old woman from Howick was reported missing by her parents on Monday.

Her vehicle was found parked at her workplace in Botany Downs, Auckland, but she had not reported for work.

"Enquiries carried out in East Auckland and Tauranga revealed that the woman was taken to the New Plymouth area by a man known to her," a police statement said today.

The charged man was arrested after his vehicle was stopped by police in north Taranaki yesterday afternoon. Also in the vehicle was the woman, who had sustained minor injuries.

The man was facing two charges of rape, as well as receiving a stolen motor vehicle.

The woman had stayed in New Plymouth last night to recover from her ordeal and was looking forward to returning to her parents today.

Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Pizzini, of Howick police, said excellent team work by officers in Tauranga and New Plymouth had led to the woman being found relatively quickly.

- NZPA