A second arrest has been made after two Oamaru properties were searched on Saturday as part of the homicide inquiry into the violent death of a 35-year-old dairy worker in his home at Elderslie last week.
It might not be the last arrest, with police indicating others might be involved.
The armed offenders squad, as a precaution, was involved in the searches at properties in Exe and Tees St, and cordoned off parts of each street while they were conducted.
At the house in Tees St, after about a three-hour standoff, the squad, accompanied by a dog, broke down the door and a man was taken away in an unmarked police car.
Police working on the Operation Steelers inquiry announced yesterday a 22-year-old man was arrested in Oamaru on Saturday afternoon on a murder charge. He will appear in the Dunedin District Court today.
An 18-year-old Palmerston man was arrested, also on a murder charge, on Friday.
Steven Kenneth Boskell was remanded in custody to the High Court at Timaru on October 1.
Police had always believed more than one person was involved in the death of Justin Conrad McFarlane, who was found by a fellow worker in his Pine Hill Rd house about 4.30am on Wednesday after he failed to turn up for work.
The Tees St search on Saturday afternoon attracted a large number of onlookers, who were prevented from getting too close by police cars at the intersection of Wansbeck and Arun Sts.
Neighbours had a grandstand view of the drama until one, who did not want to be named, said there were ''two big bangs'' which they thought might have been gunshots.
However, it was believed the bangs were made when police bashed in the door to the house.
Armed police waited outside the house until about 3pm, when they entered and a man was taken away.
Acting Detective Inspector Colin Blackie said a number of items of interest to the investigation were found in the two searches.
A forensic examination of a silver Nissan Skyline car, thought to be linked to Mr McFarlane's death, continued yesterday. The scene examination at Mr McFarlane's address in Pine Hill Rd in the rural community of Elderslie was also continuing.
About 40 police and other staff continue to work on the inquiry, which is focusing on establishing the recent movements of Mr McFarlane and the events leading up to his death, as well as interviewing a number of people who had connections with him.
Police inquiries included speaking to a 26-year-old Oamaru woman in relation to Mr McFarlane's death. She was arrested on an unrelated assault matter and released on bail to appear in the Oamaru District Court in early October.
Police still wanted people to report any sightings of a grey Nissan Skyline car involved in a short police pursuit early on Wednesday morning on State Highway 1 south of Oamaru. Before joining SH1, the vehicle was travelling on roads near Elderslie and Maheno inland from Oamaru.
• Anyone with information about Mr McFarlane's activities in the days leading up to his death can contact the inquiry team directly on (03) 433-1400, or provide information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
