Two-wheelers were once again the target of thieves in West Auckland on Tuesday evening, with Police making arrests in two separate incidents just hours apart.
Shortly after 5pm, officers observed a pair riding a moped erratically through traffic in Titirangi. On closer inspection, Police confirmed the vehicle was linked to an earlier incident. The Police Eagle helicopter was called in to assist and tracked the moped until it was abandoned in an underground car park.
“One person was taken into custody without incident and we are following positive lines of enquiry to locate the second person,” said Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Kelly Farrant.
Less than an hour later, Police were alerted by a member of the public to offenders breaking into a Glen Eden property on Panzic Place. Two electric bikes were stolen before the suspects fled in a vehicle. The Police Dog Unit quickly tracked the vehicle through Glen Eden, where it was stopped. Two people with existing warrants were taken into custody, while the stolen bikes were recovered and returned to their owner.
A 34-year-old man is set to appear in Waitākere District Court charged with burglary and possession of an offensive weapon. A 34-year-old woman faces burglary charges, while another person has been referred to Youth Aid Services.
Inspector Farrant urged residents to remain vigilant: “We take burglary and theft incidents seriously. If you see something suspicious, please call 111 immediately.”
The arrests come amid a wider pattern of two-wheeler thefts in West Auckland and across the city. In recent months, Police have investigated several cases of stolen mopeds and e-bikes being used in subsequent burglaries or ram-raid style offences. Earlier this winter, a series of thefts from Henderson and New Lynn saw offenders targeting unlocked garages to steal high-value e-bikes.
Police say two-wheelers remain attractive to thieves because they are easy to move, resell, or use in further offending. Owners are being urged to use strong locks, secure storage, and report suspicious behaviour immediately.
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