UPDATED 2:55PM
Police say they are still trying to locate people involved in the fatal hit-and-run incident in an Auckland shopping centre carpark on Monday.
Joanne Wang , a 39-year-old bakery owner, died early on Tuesday from head injuries she received the previous day at the Westfield Shopping Mall carpark.
A 19-year-old Otara man, who has name suppression, appeared in Manukau District Court this morning facing a charge in relation to the theft of Mrs Wang's handbag and was remanded in custody.
Senior Sergeant Denise Traill said the arrest was a "significant development" in the case, but said police were still trying to locate the main offenders.
"There's people that we want to identify and to locate and the investigation team are presently trying to do that," she said.
Mrs Wang, watched by her eight-year-old son, was knocked down by a white 4WD while chasing a man who snatched her handbag at the carpark.
Members of the South Auckland children's video unit talked to the boy yesterday and police said they were analysing the interview to see what further evidence it might provide.
Detectives were also following up other eyewitness accounts and information from members of the public.
The 4WD that was believed to have hit Mrs Wang was found burning at the Manukau Sports Bowl, less than a kilometre from the mall, about 10am on Wednesday.
It had been stolen from Glen Innes earlier on the day that Mrs Wang was knocked down.
Yesterday, Mrs Wang's family expressed their "heartfelt gratitude" towards the community for embracing them at this difficult time.
Members of the public with information are asked to contact the investigation team on OP MANUKAU or 0508 6762685.
NZPA
source: newshub archive
