A Dunedin woman was allegedly abducted yesterday by her ex-partner, who would not let her out of the car as he drove at high speed around Dunedin, Mosgiel and Outram for 45 minutes.
Police said they were happy to have found the pair in the car in John Wilson Ocean Dr about 10am yesterday. The 33-year-old woman inside was traumatised, but otherwise unharmed.
The 32-year-old man was arrested and charged with kidnapping the woman. He appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday.
Police alleged the man picked up the woman, who initially got into his vehicle consensually, in central Dunedin then drove around the Dunedin, Mosgiel and Outram areas at high speed.
When the man would not let the woman out, she sent emergency texts to friends, which helped police find the car.
Police allege the man also threatened to kill her during the incident.
They are seeking information from the public about sightings in Dunedin, Mosgiel or Outram yesterday between 9am and 10am of a white 1999 Toyota Altezza saloon, registration DMZ155.
Detective Sergeant John Hedges said police had serious fears for the woman's safety, and were very happy to find her safe, although very shaken and frightened.
• Rihara Te Rangi Hiroa Nepson (32), unemployed, of Milton, was remanded in custody when he appeared before Judge Stephen Coyle in the Dunedin District Court. He will reappear on October 20 for a post-committal conference.
Nepson's lawyer, John Westgate, indicated his client wanted to take the matter to trial and asked for bail, because the trial was unlikely to be until some time in middle of next year.
Judge Coyle refused to grant bail, but indicated an application for electronically-monitored bail was likely to be treated favourably.
