The sister of a dairy worker fatally stabbed on the job has said her family need “justice” over the tragic killing.
As a post-mortem examination was being carried out today on the body of Janak Patel, 34, his sister told the Herald via an in intermediary: “I need justice for my brother.
“We urge the New Zealand Government to urgently catch the criminal who has taken our brother’s life and hold the murderer accountable and give him the toughest punishment.”
Patel was fatally stabbed when he confronted a robber outside the Sandringham store he was working in on Wednesday night He had been working at the Rose Cottage Superette in Sandringham.
The dairy worker, who friends described as polite and friendly, had relocated to Auckland from Hamilton only last week to look after the dairy while the owners were overseas.
Police say he was stabbed several times 100 metres from the store after he confronted a thief who had stolen the cash register around 8pm on Wednesday.
The man, who was newly married and in his mid-30s, managed to make it back to the dairy, where emergency services were called, but died from his injuries.
Detective Inspector Scott Beard, of Auckland City CIB, who is heading the inquiry, has repeated his call for anyone who witnessed the altercation that occurred, or believe they saw the offender on foot, before or after the incident, to come forward and talk to police.
“We also continue to appeal to those in the community who know who the offender is, to do the right thing and contact us,” Detective Inspector Beard said in a statement.
Police outside the Rose Cottage Superette in Sandringham. Photo / Dean Purcell
Meanwhile, dairy owners have announced they will hold a nationwide protest after the death of Janak Patel.
They said more needed to be done to protect workers.
Dairy and Business Association chairperson Sunny Kaushal said the protest would be held once the funeral for Patel has been completed.
He said the small businesses want action, rather than empathy, from the government.
However, the initial priority will be to assist Patel’s family with funeral arrangements.
A post-mortem examination is being conducted today, police said.
Police also wanted to acknowledge residents living within the cordon and the surrounding areas and thank them for their cooperation, Beard said.
He also thanked those who had already provided information.
Cordons remain in place and are expected to be lifted later today or tomorrow.
Police have also set up an online portal for people to upload footage.
People can upload photos or video by going to here.
Police can also be contacted via 105 quoting file number 221123/3847.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
PM says she will visit electorate
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is defending her decision not to travel to her local electorate to be with grieving members of the Sandringham community after a man managing a dairy was fatally stabbed.
Ardern, speaking to media from the Chatham Islands where she was visiting for the first time, said she had directly contacted some community leaders concerning the man’s death but said she was wary of disturbing a grieving family.
“It is my local community so I will be looking to be present there as soon as I’m able to, but I’m also very aware there’s a family grieving and there is an active police investigation into a homicide and I do need to delicately balance being in the right place in the right time.”
Ardern rejected any suggestion her not being in Sandringham represented a Government not doing enough to address crime, noting that there was a time and place when the man’s family might want to engage politicians.
Act Party leader David Seymour said Ardern not choosing to be in her Mt Albert electorate where the incident took place showed a “complete lack of judgment”.
“Instead of dropping everything to be in her electorate today and making the response to retail crime a priority, she is on a plane to the Chathams. A trip she could have easily postponed.
“Jacinda Ardern should be in Mt Albert today and nothing should have got in the way of that.”
Auckland businesses are raising money to support the family of the dairy worker who was “senselessly killed” this week.
The GiveALittle page was created by the Dairy and Business Owners Group to provide financial support for the victim’s elderly parents after he was fatally stabbed in Sandringham on Wednesday evening.
“This could be any small family-run business,” the group wrote. “But it has left a law-abiding shopworker that had so much promise dead.
“Above all, it has cost a family a cherished loved one.”
The Rose Cottage Superette was lined with flower bouquets this morning as members of the community paid their respects. A candlelight vigil held last night attracted a crowd of 200, with another scheduled for Saturday evening.
The Dairy and Business Owners group said it planned to liaise with the victim’s family to ensure they were supported.
