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Home / New Zealand / Crime

Northland police catch dirt bike rider after social media taunt

Karina Cooper
By Karina Cooper
News Director·nzme·
4 Sep, 2025 05:16 AM2 mins to read

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A dirt bike impounded by police in Whangārei. Photo / NZ Police

A dirt bike impounded by police in Whangārei. Photo / NZ Police

Northland police answered a dirt bike rider’s taunt to “catch me if ya can” by successfully nabbing the youth.

The 14-year-old rider had reportedly sent an image to police’s social media pages with his challenge to officers.

Police alleged he had been involved in an incident where he didn’t stop his bike for officers.

The rider was found at a Maunu property by members of the Whangārei Youth Crime Unit, who were executing a search warrant at the address.

He has been referred to Youth Aid and his bike impounded.

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Northland road policing manager Inspector John Fagan alleged the rider had been causing havoc in Whangārei, as well as posting footage online.

He said police were cracking down on unsafe and illegal dirt bike riding.

“In many cases this involves young people posting their offending footage online for clout.

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“What they don’t realise is that they are committing offences which put themselves and other people at serious risk,” Fagan said.

In the Far North, two young riders with a child passenger were caught by police recklessly driving their dirt bikes in Kaitāia.

Both bikes were stopped by police, who established both riders were forbidden from operating a vehicle.

A tow truck was called and the bikes were impounded.

“It’s fortunate that none of those young people were injured as a result of reckless behaviour,” Fagan said.

“These bikes are not toys and have the ability to cause harm and damage to both people and property.”

Fagan said police shared the community’s frustrations about dangerous activity on public roads and spaces.

People were encouraged to report dangerous driving, as Fagan said this helped enforcement action.

He specifically mentioned reporting at the time of the offending that included descriptions of bikes and their riders and what addresses offenders were travelling from.

“I know this is an issue that causes frustration among so many in our community, and we will keep working to make sure our communities are safe,” Fagan said.

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Reports can be made via 111, or after the incident either online or by calling 105 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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