Attempted murder charge after 'gang initiation'

By NICOLA BRENNAN - Waikato Times

The grandmother of a teenager left fighting for his life after being run down by a car in Tokoroa at the weekend says an arrest made last night is "great news".

An 18-year-old Rotorua man was arrested at a rural Rotorua house last night and charged with the attempted murder of Seth Tera, 15.

He was to appear in the Tokoroa District Court this morning.

Police said Seth was chased for several blocks before being run over in Baberton St about 3.30am Saturday.

Tokoroa CIB Detective Sergeant Kevan Verry said yesterday the attack was part of a gang initiation, with clothing and mannerisms indicating those responsible were associated with the Mongrel Mob.

"They are wannabes of this gang and they are just using that to intimidate members of the public," he said.

The injured youth and his two friends had no links to any gang and they just happened to be "in the wrong place at the wrong time", Mr Verry said.

This morning Mr Verry would not comment specifically on the arrests but did say further arrests were possible. The Isuzu MU 4WD vehicle allegedly used was also seized.

He was initially in a critical condition at Waikato Hospital's intensive care unit but this morning his condition improved to serious.

His family where keeping a bedside vigil, praying for him to emerge from a coma.

Seth's grandmother, Annie Tera, 78, originally from the Cook Islands, was unable to make it to the hospital.

Speaking from her Tokoroa house this morning, she told the Waikato Times that the arrest was "good news".

Mrs Tera said the car had run right over Seth's whole body.

"I've not been the same since it happened," she said. "I've got someone here looking after me. He is only 15, a baby. My baby."

She said Seth was a good boy who visited her often.

Tokoroa High School principal Elgin Edwards said Seth was a good student and was actively involved in the school's Pasifika group, Te Manava.

Mr Edwards said he was extremely worried when he heard about what had happened.

"Initially we thought it was a lot worse," Mr Edwards said.

"We thought he hadn't survived. That would have been a tragedy."

Mr Edwards said counselling would be provided to any student or teacher who required it.

Tokoroa High was a close-knit school, so an incident such as this would have a huge impact on them, he said.

Police want the public's help to trace the movements of the vehicle believed to be involved.

They want to hear from anyone who saw the charcoal coloured 4WD, registration ZX9349, in the Tokoroa or Mangakino area on Friday or Saturday.

The vehicle has a distinctive maroon-coloured driver's door and maroon-coloured panels over the front wheels.

It also has a dark-coloured bonnet and a small front bull-bar.

* Anyone with information should call Tokoroa police on 07 8865100.