Police confident of breakthrough

Press, 24 July 1986, Page 9

Police confident of breakthrough

Christchurch detectives have several suspects linked to the killing of Dale Puru whose stabbed and battered body was found at Waimairi Beach last Sunday. The officer in charge of the case, Detective Inspector Roger Carson, said inquiries had turned up several suspects but it was not known when any arrest would be made. Motives for the killing were also becoming clear, he said. “We are very confident of a breakthrough because of all the informa-

tion coming forward.” Police forensic experts examined a 1963 Chrysler Valiant car yesterday which is believed to have carried Mr Puru’s body to the beach. Mr Carson said the police would like to hear from anyone who saw the car in the New BrightonWaimalri area or anywhere in Christchurch between Wednesday and Sunday last week. . The car is silver, with a black roof and strip along the bottom panels and has mag wheels at the rear. About 30 detectives are working on the case, in-

cluding eight extra staff from Dunedin and Invercargill. Work is still being done to piece together the movements of Dale Puru, who was also known as Dale Klngi, in the week leading up to his death. Mr Carson said there was nothing to suggest his death stemmed from a gang conflict However, a gang link could not be dismissed, he said. The search for clues at the lay-by near Broad Park, where the body was found, is expected to continue until the week-end.