Waikanae homicide: Police confirm firearm used during ‘targeted’ home invasion

Police say a man killed in Waikanae last month was the victim of a “targeted home invasion” in which several attackers were also injured.

Officers have now charged five gang associates with murder, and one with being an accessory, in the ongoing homicide investigation.

Police were resolute in holding all those who were responsible for the death of Michael Tofts to account, Detective Inspector Jamie Woods, field crime manager, said.

Tofts died at a property on Kakariki Grove, Waikanae on November 19.

“We believe Mr Tofts was the subject of a targeted home invasion which led to his death,” Woods said.

“A large investigation team is making good progress in identifying everyone involved.”

Several attackers were injured in the home invasion and police confirmed a firearm was used during the altercation.

Police are looking for information about four vehicles they believe are involved in a homicide in Waikanae.

Police have not yet recovered the firearm.

“We believe there are people who knew this was going to happen and assisted those who carried it out,” Woods said, urging people to come forward with information.

Police also want to hear from anyone who saw or has footage of the vehicles pictured between 1pm and 7pm on Wednesday, November 19. They are a silver 2013 BMW M5, a white 2005 Suzuki Swift, a white 2013 Hilux ute and a grey 2008 Audi A3 station wagon.

All the vehicles are believed to have been in and around Paraparaumu and Waikanae around the time of the homicide and travelled to Kāpiti from different locations in the Wellington region, including the Hutt Valley.

“We also believe that after the alleged murder, the white Suzuki Swift travelled over Akatarawa Rd towards Upper Hutt and the silver BMW travelled towards Paraparaumu and may have disposed of items,” Woods said.

The occupants of the vehicles are believed to be involved either directly or indirectly in the home invasion and in the lead-up to it.

Five men aged between 20 and 43 have been charged with murder, and one 26-year-old man was charged with being an accessory after the fact. They are all in custody and due to appear in the Wellington High Court in January.

All information can be given by contacting police via 105 by phone or online, quoting file number 251119/8049.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

A neighbour earlier told the Herald the property thought to be at the centre of the fatal incident was well known to other residents.

“We’ve seen the Armed Offenders Squad there before, searching the place, and having the people inside go outside.

“And we’ve had a guy come up here [to our house] on a motorbike who told us we should call the police.”

She called the police 105 non-emergency number and reported what she’d been told, the woman said.

Kāpiti Coast District Council had also previously been contacted about vehicles on the property, she said.

She wasn’t sure how many people lived on site.

“I know there’s a bus there. It’s a bit of a shambles.”