Around 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025, police received a report of an attempted theft near the junction of the Railway Trail and South Road, Paget.

Details are that a member of the public who had advertised an item for sale on social media met a prospective purchaser, an 18-year-old male, at an agreed location to carry out the transaction.

However, during the exchange, the 18-year-old attempted to snatch the electronic item being sold. A struggle ensued between the two which resulted in the teen leaving the area empty handed on a motorcycle east along South Road.

An eyewitness provided officers with a description of the suspect and the motorcycle involved.

Following investigations, the suspect was located in the parking lot of a business near Collector’s Hill Smith’s. He was approached by officers who informed him he was being detained on suspicion of theft.

During the arrest, the suspect resisted, and a brief struggle ensued. As a result, he was further detained for assault on police.

He was subsequently arrested and taken to the Hamilton Police Station. The suspect has since appeared in Magistrates’ Court and a trial date set.

Police believe this arrest may assist with their ongoing investigations into a recent spate of incidents in which individuals selling items advertised on social media, had the items stolen when meeting “buyers”.

The BPS urges members of the public to continue being vigilant when conducting these types of sales transactions.