Bruno Andrea Perillo, the man arrested after last week's three-hour hostage drama in New Lynn, is a member of the Perillo family who own the upmarket footwear company Andrea Biani.
Judge Nicola Mathers lifted Perillo's name suppression this week, saying the public's right to know outweighed the 35-year-old's
right to privacy.
Members of the Auckland-based Perillo family yesterday refused to talk about their relationship to the accused. However, the Herald understands Perillo is the nephew of the Perillo brothers who founded Andrea Biani, which has branches in Auckland Central, Newmarket and Sylvia Park.
The Perillo family also own the Francesco Shoes manufacturing company.
Perillo was arrested last week after police threw stun grenades into a panelbeaters' workshop where three workers were being held at gunpoint.
The cabinet maker was charged with three counts of kidnapping and one each of reckless driving, failing to stop and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
During a second appearance on Wednesday he faced more driving charges and one charge of possessing an air gun.
A woman who answered the phone at Andrea Biani's head office yesterday said Bruno Perillo was related to the Perillo family but the family did not know him.
Another woman at the home of Andrea Biani shareholder John Perillo said no one from the family would be making a comment about Bruno Perillo.
Bruno Perillo's mother, Wendy Perillo, who lives in New South Wales, said she had not spoken to her son for some time.
She was surprised to hear what he had allegedly done but said he still had the love and support of his family in Australia.
Mrs Perillo said her involvement with the footwear company was many years ago. Her husband Ron is understood to be a sibling of the three founding brothers.
Perillo has been remanded in custody until August 1 for further psychiatric assessment.
