By 3 News online staff
Today's post-mortem has confirmed the Paeroa man's death was suspicious, say police – more information to follow.
Police are considering whether the sudden, unexplained death of a man in central Paeroa yesterday is linked to two incidents in nearby towns on the same morning.
Pizza shop owner Jordan Voudouris, 57, was found in a pool of blood at the back of his store yesterday.
Police are working with detectives in the Bay of Plenty who are investigating an attempted robbery of the Mobil service station in Waihi.
A female attendant was assaulted as three men tried to rob the store around 6am yesterday.
At least one of the men was armed with a pistol, while another held an unknown object, Rural Field Crime Supervisor Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead said.
A short time later the Park Rd dairy in Katikati was held up by two men described as being armed with a pistol and a hammer.
“CCTV footage from both businesses indicates these were the same offenders for both robberies,” Mr Whitehead said.
“In both robberies no vehicle was seen however we believe, given the timings, they would have had a vehicle parked nearby.”
Police would like to hear from anyone who may have seen a car parked in the area of the Waihi Mobil around 6am, or who noticed a car being driven in such a way as to draw attention between Waihi and Katikati between 6am and 6.20am.
"As we await the results of a post-mortem examination being carried out on the man in Auckland this morning we are appealing to the public for any information they may have on how he may have suffered his injuries.
"To the offenders involved in the Waihi and Katikati robberies I would urge you to make contact with Police and arrange to surrender yourselves at the earliest opportunity for your own, and the public's safety."
Anyone with any information on the death of the man is asked to contact Paeroa Police on 07 862 8744.
Anyone with any information on the Waihi and Katikati robberies or who noticed any suspicious activity is asked to contact Waihi Police on 07 863 8179.
Alternatively information on either incident can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Post mortem to shed light on death
A post-mortem examination in Auckland today is expected to help police establish if the death of Paeroa pizza shop owner Jordan Voudouris is a homicide.
Mr Voudouris's body was found in an alley leading to his Mykonos Pizza and Pasta business in the Waikato town on Monday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead says "there appears to be the possibility of some trauma", and the post-mortem will help clarify this.
He also disclosed that there had been an attempted aggravated robbery at Waihi and a robbery at Katikati, which are both nearby townships.
Tributes flowed on the pizza shop's Facebook page on Monday.
"You were a hard working man and made a big contribution to this community," wrote Dennis Kuhn.
"You made real pizza".
Residents left flowers outside the shop and other businesses in the town put up messages expressing sympathy outside their stores.
The death would be treated as suspicious until there was information otherwise, Det Sen Sgt Whitehead said.
3 News/NZN