Police turn to TV to help locate suspect
Invercargill police have made an appeal on television programme Police Ten 7 in an attempt to locate a man wanted in relation to a shooting on June 30.
Police have been searching for Anthony Miles Tamaiti Watkins, 24, for nearly two weeks after a 52-year-old man was shot in the lower leg.
The case appeared on the show last night.
Detective Chris Lucy said the more people who see a photo of Watkins, the greater the chance was of arresting him.
‘‘The community holds the key to finding him.
‘‘As we’ve previously said, Watkins can be unpredictable, so we advise any member of the public who sees him to call 111.’’
Watkins is 167cm tall, and has connections to Invercargill, Dunedin and the Bay of Plenty.
Police said he ‘‘could be anywhere’’.
When asked, police said they were unable to say how many search warrants had been issued and taken out because inquiries were ongoing.
However, 12 police personnel were working on the case.
On June 30, the victim had been walking along Kelvin St, near Queens Park, on his way to see his mother when he was shot in the lower leg.
A police spokesman said he did not see the firearm at any time.
Earlier this week the victim was released from hospital and continues to recover at home.
Harvey said the man had no reason to believe he was a target for the attack. ‘‘Police would like to emphasise that he is a completely innocent party in this incident and he would like to maintain his privacy in regards to the assault.’’
Harvey said the victim and his family asked for privacy and did not wish to speak to media.
It was not known why the shooter was carrying a gun at the time in Invercargill.
Detective Senior Sergeant Stu Harvey said caution should be taken if any member of the public saw him or had dealings with him.
Police encourage anyone with information on the whereabouts of Watkins to call Invercargill police.