Police believe missing Tauranga man Harley Shrimpton, 28, may have been the victim of foul play.
It comes as investigators revealed today a 21-year-old man is due to appear in the Tauranga District Court charged with kidnapping in relation to Shrimpton's disappearance.
Detective Inspector Lindsay Pilbrow said police hold "significant concerns" for the Tauranga man's well-being after he was reported missing by family members on November 17.
The 28-year-old was last seen in the car park of McDonald's Mt Maunganui on November 3, getting into a blue Toyota Prius that had been stolen from the suburb of Bellevue the day before. It has since been recovered by police.
"Due to these circumstances, and a lack of other sightings, police believe Mr Shrimpton may have been the victim of foul play," Pilbrow said.
Several properties across the Western Bay of Plenty area were the subject of search warrants on Thursday and Friday, with the assistance of specialist squads and forensic experts.
"Police are aware that a number of people will have knowledge of what happened, including Mr Shrimpton's current location and the circumstances around his disappearance."
Pilbrow appealed for any information from the public in relation to Shrimpton's disappearance or current location, as well as sightings of the blue Prius he was seen getting into between November 2-5.
"We're appealing to those people to contact us directly, confidentially if necessary, to provide any information they may have that could assist."
Shrimpton's family are "extremely distressed" by his disappearance and "desperate" to find him and bring him home, Pilbrow said.
Police said that the investigation will continue until Shrimpton is found and those responsible for his disappearance or any subsequent criminal action have been held to account.
SHARE ME