Australasian biker news
Wanted man stayed with murder victim,
police say
01.07.05 5.00pm
A gang member who skipped bail on gun and drug charges is wanted by police
investigating a murder.
They want to talk to Kim Bruce Smith,
41, of Hamilton, about the June 7 fatal shooting of Andre Wilson of Waingaro
near Raglan.
Mr Wilson, a member of the Tribesmen
motorcycle gang, had been harbouring Smith, whom police describe as a senior
member of the Hamilton-based Outcasts motorcycle gang.
Homicide investigation head Detective
Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead said police believed Smith had been staying
at Mr Wilson's isolated rural property when Mr Wilson was shot.
The naming of Smith brings together
several pieces of a puzzle spanning more than a year.
On February 12 last year an Outcast
associate was severely beaten in his Hamilton home.
Armed police later searched Smith's
Hamilton home and found several firearms, including a military-style
semi-automatic rifle, and explosives.
Smith appeared in court and was
released on bail.
On October 30 police investigated an
armed robbery in Kaitaia.
Armed police raided the Outcasts'
Hamilton headquarters on November 5 and Smith was arrested on firearms, drug
and aggravated robbery charges.
Despite police objections, Smith was
bailed but failed to appear in court on December 17 and has been on the run
since.
Mr Whitehead said anyone helping Smith
may face criminal charges. Smith was considered extremely dangerous and
should not be approached.
He is a Caucasian, 180cm tall with
green eyes and brown hair, of solid build and has several tattoos on his
upper body and arms.
- nzpa
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