Victoria Police are hopeful today’s announcement of a $50,000 reward will be the key to help solving a crime plaguing cyclists for years – tacks being deliberately placed on bike paths and roads in Kew.
Booroondara Crime Investigation Unit has been investigating various incidents of deliberate dumping or placing of tacks on and in the vicinity of Yarra Boulevard since 2014.
About 1,000 punctured bike tyres have been reported in the past five years with some cyclists sustaining serious injuries as a result. The repair costs to bike riders is estimated to be in the thousands of dollars.
Eastern Region Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said detectives were determined to catch the person or persons responsible for the malicious conduct.
“Our detectives are investigating serious offences including conduct endangering life, criminal damage and aggravated littering,” said AC Weir.
“The tacks also pose to all road users, including pedestrians and those walking with pets as they can cause significant injury. It simply has to stop.
“We’re hoping this $50,000 reward will lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who’ve been endangering cyclists and pedestrians lives for years.”
The reward is in addition to the announcement of two new mobile CCTV units funded by the Victorian Government, which will be used to improve safety along Yarra Boulevard and assist in the investigation.
“Police will use the mobile CCTV units to capture footage, monitor high risk areas and provide a further deterrent to this kind of dangerous, illegal behaviour,” said AC Weir.
A reward of up to $50,000 dollars will be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police for information leading to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for placing these tacks on the roads.
In appropriate cases, the Director of Public Prosecutions may consider, according to established guidelines, the granting of indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information as to the identity of the principal offender or offenders in this matter.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppers.com.au.
