Man arrested over phoney Facebook motorbike sales

File photo / NZ Herald

A man has been arrested today in relation to a string of aggravated robberies involving motorbikes advertised for sale on a social media site.

Acting Detective Sergeant Dean Schrader said Bay of Plenty police arrested a 27-year-old man in Tokoroa today in relation to a string of aggravated robberies, where victims were lured to isolated rural Waikato properties to buy motorbikes which were advertised for sale on Facebook.

Mr Schrader said when victims arrived at the properties, they were confronted by armed offenders who robbed them of their money at gunpoint.

Mr Schrader said today's arrest comes after a 21-year-old man handed himself in to Te Awamutu Police on Thursday.

A 37-year-old woman was also arrested two weeks ago, and was later charged for being an accessory.

Mr Schrader said another woman was apprehended at Waikato Hospital, and she was now helping police with their enquiries.

Mr Schrader said the arrest in Tokoroa by officers from a neighbouring district should highlight to offenders that police will address serious offending with a "whole of policing" approach.

"In separate operations over recent weeks targeting offenders linked to gangs who have access to firearms, police from across the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Auckland have combined in a unified approach.

"These types of operations are a lesson to offenders that their days of offending are numbered."

Mr Schrader said due to the social media aspect of the offending, the public were able to assist police in their investigations.

"The circumstances of the events led to a lot of commentary on social media and highlighted the case.

This combined with traditional media coverage and the anonymous Crimestoppers has assisted in its successfully being brought before the courts."