Police have arrested two people after a Facebook Marketplace transaction in the Auckland suburb of Wesley escalated into a violent kidnapping on Wednesday night.
The victim had arranged to buy a vehicle and met the supposed seller on Holdsworth Avenue, but was allegedly assaulted on arrival by two offenders who demanded cash.
According to Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Kirk of the Auckland City Crime Squad, the pair then forced the victim into their vehicle and drove him to multiple ATMs on Stoddard Road, compelling him to withdraw additional money before fleeing.
The shaken victim contacted police immediately, and officers later found the suspects’ vehicle abandoned on Emily Place around 11.40pm.
Further enquiries revealed the pair had checked into a nearby hotel. Police located the room, and when the occupants emerged, officers deployed a Taser and took both into custody without further incident. Kirk said the swift response should reassure the public that such criminal behaviour “will not be tolerated,” and police are ensuring the victim receives appropriate support after what she described as a traumatic ordeal.
A 32-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman were due to appear in the Auckland District Court today facing charges of assault with intent to injure, kidnapping, and theft.
