Wallace charged with hitchhiker's murder

Michael Wallace has this afternoon been charged with the murder of German backpacker Birgit Brauer.

He is due to appear in the New Plymouth District Court tomorrow.

Wallace was arrested in Glen Oroua, 16km west of Palmerston North, at 7.20pm last night – an hour after police near Foxton spotted the 1988 Nissan Safari linked with him. 

It came three weeks after Ms Brauer, 28, was found dead in Lucy's Gully, north of New Plymouth, on September 20. She had been beaten and stabbed.

Members of the Special Tactics Group, Armed Offenders Squad, detectives and uniformed officers were all involved in his capture.

Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward, who headed the investigation, said: "As a result of information provided by the public, Michael Scott Wallace was arrested without incident last night at around 7pm. The arrest was after a short pursuit from Tangimoana."

He appealed for further sightings of Mr Wallace from Saturday 24 September 2005 until last night's arrest. Police are also seeking sightings of the Nissan Safari, registration number X09268.

Mr Coward said: "We understand Birgit's funeral was held in Dresden, Germany yesterday and we have offered our condolences to the family.

"We have also forwarded numerous cards sent to New Plymouth station, from the public offering their sympathy.

"Birgit's family have been advised of Michael Wallace's arrest today."

He said the investigation team was still working through a large amount of information.

Mr Coward added: "The public of New Zealand are to be commended for their efforts in helping the police to locate Mr Wallace. On behalf of the team I would like to thank the public and the media for their help and overwhelming support.

"We wouldn't be where we are today and have this result without the public's tremendous response to our appeal for sightings."

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF