An online attention-seeker turned viewers into witnesses after allegedly live streaming his illegal activity in west Auckland.
Around 6.10pm on 25 July, a TikTok live stream captured a motorist brandishing a machete while doing burnouts in the Titirangi town centre.
Waitematā West Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Jon Winthrop says a concerned member of the public watched the broadcast and notified Police of the driver's dangerous actions.
"Shortly after, the vehicle was identified near the location seen on the live stream.
"The BMW was signalled to stop on Craigbank Avenue, New Lynn, and as officers spoke with the occupants, they were met by the unmistakable smell of cannabis."
A search of the vehicle was invoked, and officers located over 100grams of cannabis packaged into bags and 18 plastic pods of cannabis oil.
The machete allegedly seen in the live stream was found wedged between the passenger's seat and the door, and a 30cm-long knife was located in the glove box.
The driver was arrested, and on being transported to the custody unit, a significant quantity of cash was found in the man's belt bag.
Senior Sergeant Winthrop says the offender was caught out by his own content.
"This was a dangerous, attention-seeking stunt that revealed deeper levels of offending."
An 18-year-old man will appear in Waitākere District Court today, charged with two counts of possessing an offensive weapon, possession for supply cannabis and possession for supply cannabis oil.
