Christchurch police are seeking information regarding sightings of a vehicle they said was initially considered “unrelated” to the missing woman investigation, but now holds significance in the case.
A man will appear in court today charged with kidnapping Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao.
As first reported by Chris Lynch Media, on Saturday, police officers followed a male driver and stopped him at the Wigram Airforce Museum car park.
Video footage shows the male driver speaking to police officers who had parked their car in front of the male driver’s vehicle, which was already parked.
The male, who appears to be of Asian descent, can be seen already out of his car and walking towards a police officer, handing him a bag.
With a clean-shaven head, he is dressed in a long black coat that bears mud marks.
The three police officers then proceed to inspect his car.
A female officer opens the car’s boot, and they examine the interior.
In response to Chris Lynch Media’s inquiry about the incident on Saturday, a police spokeswoman stated, “the vehicle had been stopped by police due to its manner of driving,” emphasising that the incident was deemed “unrelated.”
When pressed again on Sunday morning, the police spokeswoman said “not something we can comment on at this stage, I’m sorry.”
However, that car is now a major focus of the police investigation.
Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves said later on Sunday she was seeking sightings of the silver Mitsubishi sedan, registration DPH101 – the same car fitting the description of Saturday’s incident.
A third house in Christchurch was searched by police in relation to the investigation.
A house for sale on Trevor Street in Hornby was the subject of the police investigation overnight.
The three bedroom property appears vacant – and is on a quiet street.
An Auction by Harcourts was due to take place on Wednesday.
The real estate agent, who was going to hold the auction, said it had been cancelled but didn’t have any specific details.
He said he was going to contact head office to let them know what the situation was.
A police scene guard officer was at the house on Monday morning, but no other officers were at the property.
The house was surrounded by media.
Residents in Hornby told Chris Lynch Media police officers were door-knocking in the area over the weekend.