Suspect located by police

New Brighton woman still missing

MISSING: Vanessa Pickering.

MISSING: Security image of Vanessa Pickering.

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LATEST: Christchurch police have located a man they sought in relation to missing woman Vanessa Pickering. 

Detective Senior Sargeant said the man was was located in the Cheviot area around midday by police and was stopped using road spikes.

He was driving the Toyota Estima vehicle previously sought in connection to Pickering's disappearance.

He did not resist and the stopping was without incident Le Bas said.

New Brighton woman Vanessa Pickering has still not been located and a team of 30 police are searching Lyttelton and Banks Peninsula for her.

Pickering left her home in New Brighton with her daughter on Monday evening.

She has not been seen since, but her daughter has been located and is safe in the care of her grandmother.

Detective Senior Sargeant Virginia Le Bas said police had "very grave" fears for Pickering's safety and that it was out of character that she had made no attempt to contact her family.

Pickering is 27 years old, has blonde hair, and was wearing trousers and a brown jersey.  

She was thought to be in the company of the man.

Le Bas said he was known to Pickering, but it was not believed they were close friends or partners.

Police do not believe Pickering was in the man's company voluntarily.

A warrant was issued for his arrest in relation to a sexual assault earlier on Monday 8 February 2010. 

Anyone with any information or sightings is asked to contact police on 027 2711 308. 

Alternatively, if you want to contact police anonymously, please phone Crime Stoppers, 0800 555 111.

- © Fairfax NZ News