Dairy murder charge laid

Police have arrested two men after the death of an Auckland dairy worker, and a manhunt that lasted over 48 hours.

A 34-year-old man has been charged with murder and aggravated robbery. A 42-year-old man has also been charged with robbery.

Janak Patel of Hamilton was stabbed in the street near the Rose Cottage Superette in Sandringham about 8pm on Wednesday, and later died.

The arrested men are expected to appear in Auckland District Court today.

Earlier, the Patel family spoke out for the first time through an intermediary.

‘‘We urge the New Zealand Government to urgently catch the criminal who has taken our brother’s life and hold the murderer accountable and give him the toughest punishment,’’ Patel’s sister said. ‘‘I need justice for my brother.’’ Patel was minding the shop while the owners are on holiday in India.

An autopsy was being conducted, Detective Inspector Beard said yesterday.

Police are also continuing to ask for anyone who may have seen the altercation to come forward or who believe they saw the offender on foot, before or after the incident.

‘‘We also continue to appeal to those in the community who know who the offender is, to do the right thing and contact us,’’ Beard said.

Police have set up an online portal for people to upload footage via bluebell.nc3. govt.nz or email opbluebell@police.govt.nz.

Patel was newly married and in the prime of his life, according to president of the Dairy and Business Owners Group Sunny Kaushal.

‘‘The family are absolutely devastated by their loss,’’ Kaushal said.

‘‘His wife is so young, she’s traumatised.

She hasn’t spoken since Wednesday night.’’

The victim’s family had recently come over to New Zealand for a holiday, he said.

Sandringham resident Mark Ward said on Tuesday when he was visiting the dairy he saw someone new behind the counter.

‘‘I asked whether the family had gone back to India – everyone knows and loves them around here. And the young man said he was just minding the dairy while they were on holiday,’’ Ward said.

Stuff has interviewed a family whose security system captured footage of the suspected killer, before and after the fatal attack.

According to them, footage shows the offender walking into the dairy carrying a brown paper bag.

It is believed that the man walked up Duncan Ave on his way to the dairy.

The shop’s cash register was taken during the robbery and then Patel was stabbed, suffering critical injuries.

Police said he was stabbed multiple times, upon approaching the offender after the robbery. The offender had walked 100 metres down a residential street and dropped the stolen till in a rubbish bin.

Police said the victim then approached the offender where a fight took place, where the offender stabbed the victim several times.

The attacker left with the wheelie bin, but the bleeding victim was able to make his way back 100 metres to the dairy and call emergency services.

Nobody else was in the shop at the time of the incident. It’s understood the attacker was in the dairy for less than a minute.

Police were called and cordons were set up around the Haverstock Rd and Fowlds Ave intersection, as the worker was rushed to hospital. He died a short time later, police said.

On Thursday, police released three images of the suspect. They believe the word ‘‘Raiders’’ was printed on his clothing.