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Regional | Missing Person(s)

Police say public call helped them find LA

Police say they received a phone call from a member of the public at approximately 9am this morning, reporting a possible sighting of the Toyota Corolla linked to missing teenager LA (Los Angeles) Tukerangi, at an address east of Te Kaha.

A short time later, Police located Tukerangi as a result of the phone call.

Tukerangi's family has been updated, and she is currently in the care of Police, who have arranged for her to have a full medical assessment although she does not appear to be physically injured.

A 36-year-old man is in Police custody, and has been arrested without incident on unrelated matters.

The Toyota Corolla being sought in relation to this investigation has been located and recovered.

Detective Senior Sergeant Zane Smith  said, "We are incredibly pleased to have been able to contact LA's family this morning with news that their daughter was safe.  One of the first things that LA wanted to do was speak to her family by telephone which we arranged.

LA's family has asked us to express on their behalf that they are very happy and relieved that she has been found and they want to thank everyone who has supported them over the last few days.  They are really looking forward to seeing her soon.

Although LA has been located safe; there is still a great deal of work to do.  We will have specialists interviewers speak with LA in detail to piece together events over the last couple of weeks and to establish if any criminal offences have been committed.

This work is likely to take some days and it is not appropriate for me to make further comment on this work until it is complete.

I do want to express my sincere thanks to the community for their assistance.  Without the overwhelming public response over the last few days we may not have located LA as quickly as we have."