KEY POINTS:
A year-old burglary at a holiday home on the Coromandel Peninsula has been linked with Hamilton's serial rapist.
Detectives investigating the series of rapes in the city said the August 2006 burglary, at a property on the Coast Road, north of Thames, was linked with the man they are hunting.
The amount of property taken suggested that other people were either involved or aware of the burglary, police told a Hamilton press conference this morning.
Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Page appealed to those who knew where the property went after the burglary, or who may have received the property, to make contact.
The goods taken suggested someone may be setting up a home or supporting someone else, rather than making a financial gain, he said.
Included in the items taken were kitchen utensils, appliances, linen, camp stretchers, two fishing rods, and children's books and toys.
Police believe the same man has raped three women in Hamilton since April and they fear he could strike again.
Mr Page said the rapist may show signs of nervousness at media attention and public interest.
The suspect is described as Caucasian, aged 18 to 40. He is believed to have been driving a light-silver coloured car when he picked up his three victims walking alone in the city centre.
- NZPA
