Police appeal for help to find kidnappers

Napier police are appealing to public to help find four men who kidnapped and robbed a fisherman at knifepoint in the city last week.

They today released more details of the quartet being sought after the intoxicated fisherman was bundled into a car and forced to hand over $200.

Police today described his attackers as Maori males dressed predominantly in red, travelling in a good condition red Ford Falcon XR-6, possibly an EA model.

They have security camera footage of the vehicle, though the number plate is not visible.

Constable Phil Sayers, of Napier CIB, said the victim had been able to provide a good description of the car and at least two of the four offenders.

He described one of the men as having a goatee beard and several dots tattooed on his right knuckle.

He also had the tattoo of a cross on his wrist. Another had a distinctive long thin plait of hair.

Mr Sayers said the fisherman, from Wellington, had been drinking in a Hastings Street bar late last Thursday night when he decided to use nearby bushes in the St John Cathedral grounds as a toilet spot.

As he crossed the road he dropped his beanie hat and he heard a voice call out "Hey mate, you've dropped your beanie".

He went to the back door where one of the occupants who had his beanie was seated.

The hat was handed over and the "finder" extended his hand to shake that of the victim.

Instead, the man was yanked into the car and it sped off.

The man, although not knowing Napier well, recognised the Countdown supermarket building as the car headed toward Marine Parade.

He was told to hand over his money but said he had none. One of the four then pulled a knife and held it to his throat. Terrified, he handed over about $200 and was pushed out of the car.

He spent the next few hours walking back to Napier where he called police.

- NZPA