South Auckland Harley rider nearly twice limit arrested after Eagle tracks to Papatoetoe garage hideout

A South Auckland man has been arrested after he fled police while allegedly almost twice the legal breath alcohol limit, with drugs including a cannabis plant seized at his property.

Police had signalled a 48-year-old man driving a Harley Davidson motorcycle with a passenger on Great South Rd, Papatoetoe at 1.38am to pull over because of the way he was driving.

Counties Manukau West area response manager Senior Sergeant Steve Albrey said the man failed to stop and took off at high speed while also running a red light.

Police did not chase the bike, but the Police Eagle Helicopter tracked its movements.

“Eagle located the motorcycle heading into a Papatoetoe property, attempting to hide in a garage,” Albrey said.

“Ground units attended the address and located both the rider and his passenger.”

A South Auckland man has been arrested after he fled police while allegedly almost twice the legal breath alcohol limit.

While at the man’s property, police discovered a bag of cannabis, a cannabis plant and methamphetamine utensils.

Albrey said the rider looked intoxicated and allegedly had a breath alcohol result of 441mcg, nearly twice the legal limit of 250mcg.

The 48-year-old will be summonsed to court for the drink-driving offence and inquiries continue into the drug offences.

The passenger, a 34-year-old woman, was also arrested for an unrelated warrant to arrest.

“Operating any vehicle or motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol is extremely risky,” Albrey said.

“It’s fortunate that the rider, his passenger or anyone else in the community wasn’t injured.”