Madeleine McCann's Parents Pray For Missing Aisling Symes

From Skynews.com:

"Kate and Gerry Mccann said their 'thoughts and prayers' were with Angela and Alan Symes and missing toddler Aisling.
The little girl disappeared on Monday as her mother was clearing out the home of her late mother in a quiet Auckland neighbourhood.
A thorough police search of the area failed to locate the little girl, and over 40 detectives are now working on the case.
They now believe she has probably been abducted.
Aisling's father, originally from County Waterford, made an emotional appeal for anyone with any information to speak to police.
"These recent days have proven to be the most harrowing of our lives," he told a news conference.
"No sleep, we feel like we're barely existing. Sort of surviving every moment, not knowing where Aisling is.
"Is she near us? Or has she been moved far away? Is she being treated well? Things like, has her nappy been changed?
"These thoughts churn through us as we huddle close as a family."
The family were inundated with messages of support including one from the McCanns.
Kate and Gerry said: "We wish Aisling's parents the strength and support they will be needing at this most painful time, and we join them in hoping for Aisling's safe and speedy return."
Following an intensive search of a 3km radius, New Zealand police are now conducting door-to-door interviews and speaking to known offenders in the area.
They also wish to speak to an Asian woman in her 30s who was walking a dog on the afternoon Aisling disappeared and was seen talking to the little girl.
Meanwhile, the toddler has been put on border alert in a bid to ensure she is not taken out of the country.
"Our primary aim is to have Aisling returned to the safety of her family as soon as possible," Inspector Gary Davey said.
"Aisling hasn't been seen since about 5.15pm on Monday the 5th of October and, as every hour passes, her family, friends, police and members of her community become increasingly distressed....."

Aisling went missing from her late grandmother's house in Longburn Road, Henderson, West Auckland on Monday 5 October. Our thoughts are with her family, along with our prayers for her safe return.

Another Attempted Abduction in Auckland

Following yesterday's attempted abduction of an 11 year old girl in North Shore it has been revealed that a second kidnapping attempt was made on a 14 year old in Ravenna Way, Otara. (google street view: link)

Although the two incidents are not thought to be linked they follow a series of similar crimes in the
region where school children have been attacked in broad daylight. One of which was the abduction and rape of a 15 year old in Henderson, by a bogus truancy officer and another the attempted abduction of a 10 year old in Stanmore Bay, Whagaparoa

Attempted Kidnapping on Auckland's North Shore

Source: NZ Herald

"Police are investigating the attempted abduction of an 11-year-old schoolgirl on Auckland's North Shore today.

The girl was walking to school in Beach Haven , when she was approached from behind by a man in a Honda Civic two-door hatchback who got out and grabbed hold of her, police said.

The girl put up a struggle, eventually breaking free and running to school, where she raised the alarm.

The attack happened on Fordham St.

Police are looking for a Maori or Polynesian man, possibly in his late teens, about 1.8m tall, who was wearing a white and black cap with thick white stripes, baggy jeans and a green and white basketball-type shirt.

His car had a dent in the driver's door and its registration possibly started with the letters XA.

Police appealed for help from the public."

NZPA

Attempted Abductions in Wellington and a Brothel Hold-Up

From Stuff.co.nz

"Police are worried a man who tried to force a 20-year-old woman into his car late at night in Wellington could strike again.

Police are seeking help to identify the short, fat, balding Asian or Middle Eastern man who approached the woman as she walked home from a trip to her local service station in Newtown about 11.30pm on Friday.

Detective Paul Baskett told NZPA the man, who was dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans, pulled up alongside the woman and asked if she would like to get into his white four-door car.

When she refused he pulled his car across a driveway in front of her, got out and tried to wrestle her into the vehicle.

But the woman "made a lot of noise" and the man fled when two people called out from across the other side of the road.

Mr Baskett said the man's attempt to abduct the woman had worrying "sexual overtones" and police were concerned he could strike again.

Police wanted to hear from anyone who could help them identify the man, including the couple on the other side of the road who intervened.

He said the woman estimated him to be about 1.65m tall. His balding hair was closely shaved and he spoke with an accent.

The incident happened on Adelaide Rd."

Comment:

The abduction attempt bears remarkable similarities with other attacks.

One occurred 2 kms. away in the city in September of last year.

In that incident a 19 year old woman fought off an attacker who tried to drag her into his light coloured, four door car on Cambridge Terrace, near the Woburn Railway Station carpark.

She described him as being "about 173cm tall with dark skin and the appearance of an Indian or Somalian. He was wearing a dark-coloured parka type jacket with the hood up."

See this link to Google maps that shows the locations of the two attacks: LINK

In August 2005 there was an abduction attempt on a 13 year old girl in the Newton/Melrose area involving a white, 4 door car.

The attacker, who came from the direction of Melrose, was described as "tall, dark skinned, big build and possibly with facial stubble. He was wearing a bulky black hoody, and possibly dark coloured pants. "

The incident occurred at the junction of Mt Albert Road and Lavaud Street which is not far from Adelaide Street.



Brothel Hold Up

Also in the news from Wellington this morning was an armed robbery at the brothel "Il Bordello" which occurred at last night. The robber, who used a sawn off rifle, escaped with a large amount of cash.

The female receptionist, who had tried to escape during the robbery but was dragged back, is still in shock after the traumatic incident.

link: NZ News Yahoo

Armed Robbery on Auckland's North Shore

Source: NZ Herald, 16 Sept 2008
An off licence in the residential suburb of Forrest Hill was robbed by a woman with a gun and her male accomplice at 7:30pm on Saturday.

This is just the latest in a string of armed robberies in the Auckland region, the majority of which have been in South Auckland. However, the spread to the northern suburbs is an indication that the problem is unconfined and has moved to the more affluent areas of New Zealand.

Robbery at Knife Point

Source: NZ Herald, 16 Sept , 2008
Also in the news today is a knife point robbery at a gas station in Hamilton that took place at 1am this morning.

Police are laying the part of the blame on the victim for going against their advice and allowing the attackers into the store. No mention was made of whether or not that advice was passed on to the victim.

Attempted Abduction at Automatic Teller Machine

Source: Stuff, 16 Sept, 2008
A man tried to abduct a woman in Hastings last night after she withdrew money from an ATM. The th assault happened in Heretaunga Street West, fortunately the woman managed to fight off the attacker