Police keep probing homicide in Ruakākā

Police are continuing to search for those responsible for the death of a man whose body was found five months ago on a Ruakākā street.

Teina Pickering, 24, was found dead on Peter Snell Rd around 4am on October 12.

Last week, police said work continues to locate a vehicle believed to be linked to the crime.

Meanwhile, two men connected to the case have been sentenced on firearms matters.

Terry Norton appeared in Whangārei District Court for sentencing last week on a charge of possessing a firearm.

Judge Maria Pecotic read the summary of facts which alleged Pickering had arrived at a Peter Snell Rd home, angry and trying to locate a person.

Norton told a presentence report writer that he went outside to calm Pickering down.

He said Pickering cooled off and then walked down the road. Norton then returned to his house, he told the report writer.

According to the summary of facts, Pickering was seen leaning into a vehicle which pulled up beside him.

He allegedly became startled by something and stepped backward, before dropping to the ground where he was found dead.

On October 13, police searched Norton’s address and found a barrel and stock of a .22 firearm under a cabin at the rear of his house. The gun was wrapped in a yellow blanket.

Norton admitted the charge and was sentenced to four weeks of community detention.

The other man, Ethan Hokai, admitted possession of an offensive weapon, a knife, unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest and several driving charges.

He was sentenced earlier in March to 18 months’ imprisonment.

People with information on the vehicle allegedly involved in the death of Pickering have been asked by police to come forward.

The vehicle of interest is a green 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer driven by a male wearing a brown camouflage jacket, between Whangārei and Warkworth on October 12, last year. ● Reports can be made to police on 105 or at police.govt.nz/use-105. The file number is 231012/4721.