The police have released video of a man being caught in the act of allegedly trying to steal diesel from a digger.
On July 17, a police helicopter was flying over Popes Rd in Takanini, South Auckland, searching for a stolen car when they spotted the man and his car.
“When Eagle located the suspicious activity, they directed officers to the area,” a police spokesperson said.
In the video, a man could be seen standing next to a car which was parked directly behind the digger. He got out two petrol cans, pulled a hose out of the car and hopped underneath the heavy machinery.
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The man then attempts to run around the other side of the digger to try and hide when he sees police cars approaching, before being taken into custody by officers.
NZ POLICE/Supplied
The man could be seen running around the side of the digger as police approached.
The man was spotted by the helicopter crew when he was driving through an area under construction, with no headlights on.
A 33-year-old man was taken arrested by police and had now been charged with theft in relation to the incident.