A Mangerton fugitive who taunted police in a series of live Facebook videos has been taken into custody.
Justin Filipetti took to social media to tell police he was “like the wind. You know I’m there, but you can’t catch me” in one of four live videos posted since June 19.
But in the end he was just flesh and bone, spread unceremoniously over a Stuart Road, Warrawong roadside a short time ago, then handcuffed and helped into the back of a paddy wagon.
“He didn't look like he was the wind when he got caught," a witness to the arrest told the Mercury.
“He actually looked quite pissed off and exhausted.”
“He had a very angry look on his face.”
“When they had him handcuffed and kneeled on the ground he kind of like collapsed backwards, like he was fitting or something, but I think that was just an act.”
The witness said she comforted a woman who ran from the property and told her, “he was under my house!”.
Filipetti is expected to face Wollongong Local Court later today.
He became a wanted man after the doorway to a Myuna Way, Mangerton unit was doused in accelerent and set alight on June 14.
In a video posted Friday, Filipetti, 27, denied any wrongdoing but said he would not hand himself in.
He warned it would take the tactical response group (TRG) to bring him into custody.
“I’m kicking back. About to have some dinner, some bongs,” he goads. “You won’t find me, Superintendent. Good luck with it. I’m not f-cking hiding cos I haven’t done nothing f-cking wrong. I’m walking the streets with my head held high … If you think you can find me or you think you know where I am – come. I’m daring you, come. It won’t end well, so you better call TRG … I’m telling you, I’m like the wind. You know I’m there but you can’t catch me.