Sunnyvale schoolgirl abduction: ‘Fear is prominent’, community on edge after latest high-profile West Auckland crime

Fear mounts in West Auckland as a gunman remains at large after kidnapping a 15-year-old girl from her home and assaulting her for hours on a reservation.

Henderson-Massy Local Council Chairman Chris Carter says there is a strong sense of fear in the community and residents are concerned for their safety.

“There have been a number of high profile cases in west Auckland, from the police officer who was shot dead a few years ago to the young Afghan girl who was killed late last year and now this is the youngest,” Carter said.

The 15-year-old schoolgirl was dragged from her home in Sunnyvale on Wednesday morning by a knife-pointed intruder who pursued her through suburban streets before recapturing and attacking her at a reservation, the traumatized girl’s mother told the Herald.

Police are investigating but have released few details about the attack.

The herald requested an update from police today, including whether investigators had already questioned the victim and whether they would release a description of their attacker.

Police said there were no new updates in the investigation and sent the same statement sent to the media on Friday.

Carter said the community still has faith in the police but there is a growing sense of concern about the level of crime.

“The sheer number of high-profile cases in West Auckland is of course worrying and contributes greatly to the apprehension and fear that is prevalent in people’s minds,” Carter said.

This was announced by the kidnapped teenager’s family herald They were afraid that the man, dressed in black and wearing leather gloves, had holed up their house and that he would strike again.

The girl’s mother said her daughter told her the attacker had repeatedly threatened her life and she was held captive by a creek on a nearby reservation for up to seven hours.

A concerned mother of four who lives in the area told the herald earlier She was disgusted by what had happened to the teenage girl in her neighborhood, and after speaking to police, she made plans to improve her home’s security system.

“I locked all the doors of my house all day. Two of my children go to a local school and one to kindergarten.

“Our community is afraid for their children and their families. This is a heartless, cold and terrible act. We can only hope that person is found soon,” she said.

Another resident and mother of six said the news of the horrific attack on a young girl in the neighborhood was very worrying and her confidence to send her children outside alone had plummeted.

“We have a surveillance device and a handgun ready,” she said.

The intruder is still being hunted by police, who are urging anyone who witnessed suspicious activity near Parma Place, Chislehurst St, Newham Place and Bloom Cres on Wednesday morning to get in touch with them.

A forensic examination had taken place at the crime scene.

Information may be provided through the police 105 telephone service or online by using Update Report. Please state file number 230419/4024.

Individuals can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

SEXUAL DAMAGE

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Alternatively, contact your local police station – click here for a list.

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