The dairy was targeted by a thief who stabbed the victim around 8pm last night. Video / NZ Herald
The victim of the Sandringham dairy killing is being remembered as a polite, kind man who had relocated to Auckland in the last month.
The Herald understands that the victim and his wife, who were only recently married, were previously living in Hamilton, and only moved recently to Auckland to look after the Rose Cottage Superette in Sandringham for its owners who went overseas.
The owner of a Cambridge dairy told the Herald that the victim and his wife had been looking after his store for the last six months and had only moved to Auckland in the last couple of weeks to continue as dairy workers.
“He was like my brother... he was a good person, very friendly and polite, and loved his wife,” said the man.
Another close family friend of the victim said they are extremely frustrated and were working out how to handle the lack of information about the stabbing.
The friend told Indian Weekender that police haven’t provided enough detail about what happened.
No one is allowed inside the shop, the family friend said.
”Even police did not provide information about what happened, how many people came, what was the story behind the country - we’ve got no idea at the moment,” the friend told Indian Weekender.
He said the Government needed stronger laws to stop tragedies like this while the current response “wasn’t going well”.
The dairy’s owners are currently in India and the family friend said he had spoken with them this morning.
Hundreds have gathered outside the Rose Cottage Superette in Sandringham to pay tribute to the slain worker who was stabbed to death during a robbery last night. Photo / Dean Purcell
Police said this afternoon that their homicide investigation was continuing. The man was fatally stabbed during a robbery yesterday evening. A manhunt is under way for the person responsible.
”Our thoughts are with this man’s family, and we are ensuring there is support in place for them. The Sandringham community will continue to see an increase of Police around the area in response to this incident,” Detective Inspector Scott Beard said.
”What has happened is a tragedy and police reassure the community that we have an investigation team working hard to identify this offender and bring him to account.
”Our investigation is still in the early stages and Police are piecing together the events that lead to the man’s death,” Beard said.
The offender is believed to have been wearing all dark clothing – black shoes, cap and a long-sleeved top, Beard said.
”He was wearing black pants with white writing down the left leg, along with a black and white bandana across his face,” he said.
On reassurances for the community, Beard said they would feel apprehension about what happened but a large team was working to identify the offender.
“If somebody has seen somebody acting suspiciously before or afterwards, tell us.”
On what happened and what was taken during the robbery, Beard said it was early stages but a briefing from staff revealed the man went into the dairy to commit the robbery, and the till was stolen.
“It appears the till has gone and the victim was stabbed.”
PM Jacinda Ardern. Photo / Dean Purcell
Prime Minister’s ‘sorrow’
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has issued a heartfelt message to the family and community of the young dairy worker killed in Auckland overnight.
Hundreds have gathered outside the Rose Cottage Superette in Sandringham to pay tribute to the slain worker, a young man who was “recently married”.
A manhunt is under way with fellow dairy owners calling it their worst nightmare and a community reeling.
In a social media post, Ardern issued a message to the family and “tight-knit community”, pledging the Government would make sure those responsible were brought to justice and more would be done to prevent such crimes from occurring.
“Late last night I heard news of the horrific robbery and homicide in Sandringham,” she wrote.
“I’m continuing to seek updates from the police and understand they will be sharing any new information later today.
“For now, what I do know is that no one should fear their loved one going to work. No one should have to confront such senseless violence or crime.
“To the family who today mourns their lost loved one - I am so sorry this has happened.
