Gender reveal hoon nabbed

Investigators from the Dandenong High Risk Driving Unit have today arrested an alleged recidivist hoon as part of Operation Achilles, laying over 260 charges for dangerous driving and a raft of theft from motor vehicle offences across Melbourne’s south-east.

Police allege the 22-year-old Rowville male has been involved in a series of intentional high risk driving events across Dandenong South and Keysborough.

This includes two separate ‘hoon gender reveals’ where the accused has allegedly performed burnouts near crowds of people to emit clouds of pink or blue smoke, which revealed the gender of his soon to be born children. These events allegedly took place on 10 July this year in Keysborough and on 5 July 2020 in Dandenong South.

He has also been charged in relation to three additional hooning incidents in Dandenong South between 28 April and 4 July this year.

The 22-year-old male was arrested earlier today. He is currently being interviewed and is expected to be charged with 48 offences in connection to this offending, including reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, driver in a manner dangerous and improper use of a motor vehicle.

During the course of their investigation into the hoon driving events, investigators from the Dandenong High Risk Driving Unit will allege they became aware the 22-year-old male from Rowville and three co-offenders were stealing catalytic converters from vehicles across Dandenong, Cranbourne, Mordialloc and Cheltenham between May and August this year.

This resulted in significant and costly damage to more than 70 vehicles, totalling up to $300,000 worth of repairs. Police will allege the group have then on-sold the materials for their own personal financial gain.

As a result, the 22-year-old Rowville male is also expected to be charged with another 213 offences in connection to these thefts. This is expected to include theft from motor vehicle, theft of motor vehicle, criminal damage, handle stolen goods, going equipped to steal, possess proceeds of crime, breach of bail conditions and commit indictable offence while on bail.

Police seized 12 vehicles from Rowville and Bayswater connected to the alleged offender, including several Holden Commodores. Police will allege these vehicles were either connected to hoon driving events or proceeds of crime generated by the theft of catalytic converters.

A further three arrests were made in connection to the catalytic converter thefts today, including:

• A 27-year-old Cranbourne North male who is expected to be charged with 64 offences including theft from motor vehicle, possess proceeds of crime and commit indictable offence while on bail.

• A 25-year-old Seaford male who is expected to be charged with 63 offences including theft from motor vehicle, theft of motor vehicle, possess proceeds of crime and commit indictable offence while on bail.

• A 24-year-old Cranbourne West male charged with 69 offences relating to theft from motor vehicle and possess proceeds of crime. He has been bailed to appear before the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 20 December.

In addition to the catalytic converter thefts, police will also allege the 22-year-old Rowville male and 25-year-old Seaford male stole a 2002 Holden Commodore sedan valued at $8,500 from a Doveton address in May 2022.

Police also seized another two vehicles as part of these warrants, taking the number of vehicles seized today to 14. In addition to this, police seized a trailer and three engines they will allege have either been stolen or are proceeds of crime.

Since July last year, Operation Achilles has resulted in more than 240 offenders being charged for hoon driving, over 1,400 charges being laid, and more than 155 vehicles being impounded across metropolitan Melbourne.

Quotes attributed to Sergeant Paul Holtzinger, Dandenong High Risk Driving Unit – Operation Achilles

“If you’re celebrating an impending birth and want to reveal the gender of your child, pop a balloon or cut a cake. Don’t tear up our roads and recklessly put your family and friends in danger of serious injury or death.

“We are aware of a trend where hoons are celebrating some of life’s most memorable moments, such as celebrating new arrivals to the family or weddings, by burning rubber and putting others in danger.

“It’s not only bizarre and illegal behaviour but has the real ability to turn a moment of celebration into tragedy.

“If you choose to engage in this kind of behaviour, the real surprise will come when we knock on your door.

“Hoon driving is not harmless fun – it is serious and dangerous, and police will relentlessly investigate those involved in organised hoon meets.

“Catalytic converters are an essential part of a vehicle’s exhaust system and when stolen, they cause significant inconvenience for car owners and huge repair bills – police will not stand for this and anyone caught stealing them can expect to be hit with serious criminal charges.”

/Public Release. View in full here.