A man was arrested overnight after he allegedly pulled an imitation firearm during a Facebook Marketplace transaction.
The incident took place at a petrol station in Auckland’s Takanini at around 9.20pm, where two men had arranged to meet to sell a vehicle.
The pair had agreed on a sale price for the vehicle, according to Senior Sergeant Minho Lee, but things soon went wrong.
“During the course of the transaction a disagreement arose around the final purchase price,” Lee said.
At one point, the man allegedly showed the seller what he believed to be a firearm.
Once the transaction had been completed, both men left the area. The alleged offender left in the vehicle that was advertised for sale.
Police later received a report about the incident, and a police camera operator spotted the vehicle parked on Karangahape Rd just after midnight.
“Armed staff approached the vehicle and located the offender in the driver’s seat,” Lee said.
The man was arrested, and an imitation firearm was found in the vehicle alongside a “large amount” of cannabis.
The 35-year-old was charged with possessing cannabis for supply and present an object like a firearm. He is expected to appear in the Manukau District Court today.
The vehicle has since been returned to its registered owner.
