Police suspect that the "despicable" burglar who stole the ashes of a woman's dead father and blackmailed her for their return is Rotorua's Douglas Morris.
The urn of ashes were among items the burglar raided from the woman's Mt Maunganui home and loaded into her car before taking off. He later sent her text messages demanding a ransom for the safe return of the urn and car.
Morris is on the run from Tauranga police after allegedly foiling them in a ransom drop sting operation which progressed to a high-speed car chase on Tuesday.
Police say Morris, a 29-year-old Maori of medium to solid build, may be driving an older shape 1985 gold Holden Commodore, registration AHN439.
The car, which has a lowered body and mag wheels, was stolen from Papamoa early Wednesday morning.
Police had to call off the chase in the Western Bay between 6pm and 8pm on Tuesday, fearing someone would get killed as it reached speeds of up to 200km/h.
The bizarre chain of events started when the burglar raided a woman's Mt Maunganui home on Saturday, stealing cash, jewellery, computer equipment and an urn containing her father's ashes.
He loaded the stolen items into her luxury $70,000 champagne-coloured 2006 B200 Mercedes Benz, and took off.
Acting Senior Sergeant Darryl Brazier of the Tauranga police said the woman in her 50s began getting text messages from the man on Tuesday demanding a ransom for the safe return of the urn and car.
The woman was to meet the man at Papamoa's Palm Beach Plaza to exchange the cash for the keys to the car and the urn.
Instead, police set up an undercover sting, but he soon twigged it was a set-up and drove off at speed in an older model Mitsubishi car.
Police have since found that car dumped in the area, and discovered that the gold Holden was stolen early on Wednesday morning.
The urn was found in the boot of the Mitsubishi, along with property which have helped police suspect the man is Morris.
Not only has the woman had her urn returned but she also has back her Mercedes Benz.
Mr Brazier said the woman was too distressed to talk to the media but was doing everything she could to help police track down the man.
"She is extremely relieved not only to have her late model vehicle back but the ashes of her father."
Mr Brazier said Morris lived in Rotorua but also had strong connections in the Western Bay of Plenty.
He is considered dangerous and should not be approached.
It was possible he was hiding out in Rotorua and anyone knowing his whereabouts should contact Mr Brazier at the Tauranga police station on (07) 577 4356 or call 0800 SPEAKUP (773 2587).
If convicted, blackmailers may be jailed for up to 14 years.
Police suspect Rotorua man stole ashes
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