Three men have been charged with multiple offences, including two for dangerous driving, as part of an ongoing proactive operation in the state’s south.
Operation Hotspot was established by officers from Murray River Police District’s Proactive Crime Team in April 2020, to target motor vehicle and property crime.
With the assistance of the Wagga Wagga Region Enforcement Squad, the Dog Unit and local detectives, multiple arrests have been made over the past week.
Of note:
Shortly after 1pm on Wednesday (27 May 2020), a Ford Falcon was seen allegedly driving erratically and in excess of the speed limit on Borella Road, Albury.
Police followed the car to a carpark on Drome Street, East Albury.
When the car stopped, police approached the driver on foot, before the vehicle allegedly sped off towards the Riverina Highway.
The driver and Ford Falcon were located at a home in Wodonga the next day by officers from Victoria Police.
A 23-year-old man was arrested and extradited to NSW, where he was charged with disqualified driving, drive manner dangerous, fail to comply with police direction, drive unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle.
He was refused bail and appeared briefly before Wagga Wagga Local Court, where he was granted conditional bail to appear in Albury Local Court next month (Monday 6 July 2020).
About 3pm on Thursday (28 May 2020), police located a stolen Audi hatchback allegedly bearing incorrect registration plates travelling along Union Road, Lavington.
The vehicle allegedly drove in a dangerous and erratic manner, in an attempt to evade police.
A short time later the vehicle was located concealed in the rear yard of a property on Koonwarra Street, North Albury.
A 30-year-old man was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station, where he was charged with outstanding warrants.
A second man, aged 29, was arrested and released a short time later pending further inquiries.
Investigations are continuing and further charges are expected to be laid.
About 5.15pm on Friday (29 May 2020), police attended a home in Tallowwood Street, Thurgoona, to arrest a man wanted by virtue of outstanding warrants.
The 25-year-old man allegedly entered a Ford Falcon XR6 and drove at speed, narrowly avoiding a police car.
A pursuit was initiated and terminated a short time later for safety reasons.
Following a search, the driver was arrested at a home on Stanley Street, Albury. He was taken to Albury Police Station and charged with police pursuit, drive in a manner dangerous to the public (x2), goods in custody and disqualified driving.
The man was refused bail and is due to face Albury Local Court today (Monday 1 June 2020).
Police also arrested a second man, aged 24, for outstanding warrants.
Murray River Police District Acting Crime Manager, Detective Acting Inspector Chris Wallace said police will continue to crackdown on those who choose to do the wrong thing.
“We want to get the message out there loud and clear that if you are considering committing a crime on our roads, we will be out in force and ready to put you before the courts,” Det A/Insp Wallace said.
“We rely on the community to be our eyes and ears, and I would like to encourage everyone – if you see something, say something.
“We will continue to target and disrupt crimes in all its forms across the Murray River region.”
