Men arrested for Prasad murder

Shalvin Prasad. Photo / Supplied

Two men have been arrested for the murder of Auckland man Shalvin Prasad.

The men, aged 18 and 20, both from Papatoetoe, will appear in Manukau District Court tomorrow jointly charged with Mr Prasad's murder.

Mr Prasad's family were told of the arrests this evening, police said.

Police turned to criminal profilers for clues to why a gentle man who loved his family was burned alive on the side of the road.

Prasad, 21, was found on McRobbie Rd in Kingseat south of Auckland on Thursday, January 31 - several hours after he withdrew tens of thousands of dollars from his bank account and left his RAV4 outside an industrial building in Papatoetoe he had no connection with.

Older brother Pravin, 27, pleaded for someone to come forward with information at an emotional press conference last week.

"He was a great person and he still should be with us.''

The killing had hit the family like a "trainwreck''. "The death of my brother has really shattered our lives, we've lost our favourite Shalvin.''

Detective Inspector Dave Lynch said today that although police were pleased to have made early arrests there was still a lot of work for them to do.

Police were still seeking the following items belonging to Mr Prasad: Rav 4 car key, house key, steering wheel lock key attached to a single plain ring with a piece of paper attached with either Rav 4 or ZG1674 written on it, wallet, black and white imitation leather with a puzzle design, ASB eftpos card, driver's licence.

Police were also interested in any sightings of a distinctive lime green 2008 Holden Commodore SV6 and/or a 2001 silver/grey Nissan Bluebird Sylphy between the Papakura CBD area and Kingseat in the evening of January 30 from 9pm through to the early morning of January 31.

Any information in relation to the investigation can be given to police on 09 295 0311 or to Crime-stoppers on 0800 555 111.