Hit and run: Man charged with murder

A 33-year-old man arrested over an alleged hit and run in Welcome Bay Rd has appeared in court facing one count of murder.

The man was remanded in custody by Judge Christopher Harding.

The man, who is accused of running down Ilya Olegovich Kojevnikov in Welcome Bay about 11pm last night, will next appear in the High Court at Tauranga on February 18.
He is yet to enter a plea to the charge.

The man has been charged after police said they recovered a black Subaru believed to be involved in the incident from an address in Papamoa.

Western Bay of Plenty Police Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair said police would not be making any further comment at this time while the matter was now before the court

The name of the victim would not be released until all of his family were notified, some of whom were overseas, he said.

However, Mr Wright-St Clair said police were still seeking witnesses and would also like to speak to anyone who saw a black Subaru between 8pm and midnight in the Mount Maunganui, Papamoa or Welcome Bay area. Anyone with any information should call Tauranga Police Station on 577 4300.