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A man dressed in a suit and tie "tricked" his way into a woman's Papakura home before subjecting her to a sexual attack which police believe may have lasted more than two hours.
South Auckland police today expressed fears the man could reoffend and said they were treating yesterday's "despicable" attack as seriously as a homicide.
Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Grimstone told a media conference a Maori or Polynesian man in his 30s "tricked" his way into the 41-year-old victim's Duke St home, where she lived alone.
"Over the next substantial period of time she was stripped naked and sexually violated many times by this person.
"The man was armed and he threatened the woman's life saying that he would kill her if she went to the police.
"He's then left the scene on foot and we're unsure as to whether a vehicle was nearby or not."
Mr Grimstone would not reveal how the man tricked the woman or the weapon he used in the attack.
The man arrived at the woman's home at midday and the attack was thought to have lasted until about 2.30pm, he said.
"At the end of the day, it's a very disgusting and despicable attack on a female in her own home in broad daylight and this man must be caught."
The victim suffered minor injuries which Mr Grimstone would not reveal.
Mr Grimstone said she was "very intelligent and articulate' and was helping police as best she could.
"Clearly after having undergone such an horrific attack to say that she was mentally fragile would be an understatement."
Mr Grimstone said a team of 30 officers was working on the case, dubbed Operation Bowie.
The offender is described as a Maori or Polynesian male aged in his early to mid-thirties.
He is approximately 185cm tall, of athletic build and with short, dark hair and was wearing a dark grey or black suit, white collared shirt, grey/blue tie and black dress shoes.
Mr Grimstone said it was unusual to find an offender wearing a suit.
"We're appealing to people who may have been in and around the area at the time for any sightings of anyone fitting that description," he said.
"Also it would be appropriate to issue a warning to others in the area, whether it be Papakura or further abroad, to be ever vigilant when answering the door to strangers."
Anyone with information is asked to call Papakura CIB on 0800 DUKE ST (0800 385 378).
