Dunedin police hunting a man who savagely raped a young woman will focus their inquiries on Christchurch after it was confirmed the suspected offender was dropped there only hours after the attack.
Detective Senior Sergeant Steve McGregor of Dunedin said the suspect, a European aged in his late20s or early 30s with a shaved head, was picked up hitch-hiking by a Dunedin resident about 3am on Saturday.
The 21-year-old rape victim was dragged into a Dunedin car park about 12.30am on Saturday and attacked for more than two hours.
She was strangled with both a nylon rope and bare hands.
A motorist told police he had driven the suspect from Dunedin to Christchurch.
Mr McGregor said the suspect "was no longer walking the streets today" and the public were safe from his reoffending.
He declined to comment when asked about the link between the suspect in the Dunedin rape case and Liam James Reid, the man charged murdering Emma Agnew.
Reid, 35, a short, slightly built European with a shaven head, was remanded in custody when he appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Wednesday.
Mr McGregor said the rape victim was doing very well.
"She is now with family away from Dunedin.
"She is a very, very strong young lady and she's progressing very well, considering what she's been through."
Meanwhile, the Trade Me, TV3 and Radio Live websites and a broadcast by Radio Live talkback host Michael Laws are being investigated by the Solicitor-General, Dr David Collins, QC, for possible contempt of court.
The investigation relates to material broadcast or otherwise published yesterday about Reid.
The Solicitor-General's office confirmed late yesterday that he was investigating with a view to determining whether contempt proceedings should commence.
