A determined police investigation has put a stop to an offender allegedly committing indecent assaults on women aboard an Auckland bus route.
Detectives from Counties Manukau East Police have been investigating the reports on a bus route running between Botany and Britomart.
Incidents have been reported on bus route 70 over the past six months, detective senior sergeant Dean Batey says.
“Police have been working to piece together these reports which were identified as taking place on the same bus route.
“We have been reviewing CCTV footage and worked with other units within police.”
A 51-year-old Clover Park man was located and arrested earlier this week.
He’s facing three charges of indecent assault and is due to reappear in the Manukau District Court.
He has been charged in relation to alleged incidents on November 9 when he boarded in the city, on March 8 when he boarded in Panmure, and on May 21 after boarding in Pakuranga.
The man charged is currently remanded in custody.
“I would like to acknowledge the three women who reported what had happened to them so that police could investigate,” Batey says.
“Anyone commuting or using public transport should be able to do so safely and not be subjected to the behaviour experienced in these cases.
“I hope this arrest brings people commuting on this route some reassurance.”
Police are still making enquiries into the matter, so we cannot rule out further charges being laid.
“I would ask anyone who believes they have further information to assist these enquiries to contact us,” Batey says.
Information can be reported by contacting police on 105 or by going online to https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105.
