Warrant issued over homeless man's death

Justin Turner. Photo / NZ Police

An arrest warrant has been issued over the killing of a homeless man in Auckland.

Police say Maqbool Hussain suffered a violent death in the suburb of Balmoral on the weekend of March 22 and 23.

They now have a warrant to arrest 28 year-old Justin Vance Turner for Mr Hussain's murder.

Turner was identified by police on Friday as a person of interest to the Op Gridley investigation.

Officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Inspector Chris Cahill, said it was possible Turner was in the southern Wairarapa town of Featherston on Friday night and Saturday morning.

"A man, possibly fitting Justin Turner's description, albeit he was clean shaven, was offered and availed himself of accommodation at the rear of a private property in the town.

"A local man had found this person sitting in the main street so he offered the stranger a bed in his unused house bus for the night. He [Turner] was last seen walking north out of Featherston at about 7 o'clock on Saturday morning.

"We are urging motorists, business and transport operators throughout the North Island and possibly further south to be aware of Justin Turner's description and image and to contact police immediately if he is seen or encountered.

"Turner has a history of violence and should not be approached,'' Mr Cahill said.

Anyone who thought they had given Turner a ride, food or accommodation in the past week was asked to contact the investigation team on 09 820 5763 or call police on 111.

Justin Turner is described as Caucasian with noticeably olive skin, short black hair, brown eyes, comparatively bushy eyebrows and a prominent nose.

He is 176cms tall, of medium build, and has a neck tattoo of a dog wearing a spike collar.