By Tony Wall
Police have arrested a middle-aged woman in connection with a vicious home invasion allegedly involving three hired hitmen, one a notorious Paremoremo prison escaper who is still on the loose.
The 52-year-old woman was arrested yesterday as police stepped up efforts to find Peter Anaru Matahaere, who is suspected of taking part in the brutal attack two days after escaping from a prison work party.
The October 23 bashing left Manurewa couple Robert Rogers, aged 54, and Lorraine McEwen, 56, close to death.
The woman will appear in the Papakura District Court today charged with aggravated burglary. Other more serious charges are likely to be laid.
Matahaere, 31, has numerous armed robbery convictions and has escaped from custody three times.
In his latest getaway, he asked to take a toilet break from the prison's compost bagging operation on October 21 and didn't come back.
The officer in charge of the case, Detective Sergeant Neil Grimstone, said police had evidence to suggest Matahaere was involved, but he could not comment further.
Matahaere, who is considered dangerous, is understood to have visited friends and family in South Auckland since his escape and has managed to stay one step ahead of police.
The 31-year-old is a notorious escaper but was classified as a low to medium security inmate.
In 1992, he escaped from the premiere of a film, in which he starred, about the rehabilitation of prison inmates. In 1996, he broke out of a prison van into rush-hour traffic near Mt Eden prison.
Another man wanted by police in connection with the Manurewa bashing appeared in court yesterday.
Illya Monty Waipouri, 32, of Otara, was arrested after an incident in Sheriff Place, Papakura, on Monday night, and was charged with conspiracy to commit burglary.
A resident told the New Zealand Herald she was watching TV in the dark when her fox terrier let out two loud barks.
She followed the dog to the back of her property and saw a man sitting on her fence.
She said a policeman who lived nearby found three men near the property and arrested them.
Meanwhile, Mr Rogers and Mrs McEwen have been released from Middlemore Hospital and are living at a secret address.