KEY POINTS:
Three teenagers appeared in Tauranga Youth Court this afternoon charged with the murder of a man who had just withdrawn money from an ATM in Te Puke.
The trio, aged 16, 18 and 19, whose names were suppressed, were remanded in custody until December 17.
The 45-year-old victim was found beaten to death at 1am today in the main street of Te Puke.
Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said the man had just withdrawn $100 from an ATM.
The three were arrested after presenting themselves to Te Puke police station today.
A 24-year-old woman has also been charged with being a party to the murder, and is to appear in Tauranga District Court tomorrow.
Detective Senior Sergeant Turner this afternoon said: "Police are concentrating on identifying and interviewing persons who were present at the Stadium Bar and Te Puke Hotel on Thursday evening," Mr Turner said earlier today.
He said a post mortem was likely to be held in Auckland on Saturday.
- NEWSTALK ZB, NZPA
