Source: New Zealand Police
Two men are facing serious firearms charges after allegedly robbing a victim during an online marketplace transaction in east Auckland.
The victim had arranged to sell a necklace on Facebook Marketplace on Wednesday, meeting “buyers” at a supermarket car park off Union Street in Howick.
At around 2.30pm, the “buyer” approached the victim in the car park and presented a firearm,” Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Robson, Counties Manukau CIB says.
“The offender allegedly demanded the victim hand over the necklace, which he did, before the offender took it and ran on foot through the car park and was picked up by a vehicle a short distance away.”
The vehicle was later observed by Eagle in Glenn Innes and followed to an address in Point England, where two males fled on foot.
“Units soon located one male inside a nearby address, and the second male was tracked by a Delta Dog Unit and apprehended a short distance away,” Detective Senior Sergeant Robson says.
A search of the address located the firearm and necklace.
“This was good work by our staff in responding quickly and tracking down both alleged offenders, where they will now be held to account,” Detective Senior Sergeant Robson says.
“Police also want to send a timely reminder about being cautious when selling things online and arranging to meet people you don’t know.”
Both men, aged 19, appeared in the Manukau District Court today charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm, unlawfully possessing ammunition and aggravated robbery with a firearm.
ENDS.
Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/23/pair-charged-after-facebook-marketplace-robbery/