Police have this morning swooped on an alleged hoon believed to be one of the organisers of the illegal meets across Melbourne’s western suburbs.
The 21-year-old Melton man has been charged with a string of offences including reckless conduct endangering serious injury, intimidate emergency service worker, incitement, affray, theft, handle stolen goods and criminal damage.
It will be alleged the man has been stealing council street signs and roadwork signs, which are then used to illegally block streets to allow for hoon activity in areas including Derrimut, Altona and Sunshine.
A search warrant was executed in Melton this morning, with police seizing a taser, several council street signs, roadwork signs and three balaclavas.
The man has been charged in relation to two alleged hoon meets over the last week, including an incident where a police vehicle was swarmed by attendees.
The first incident took place overnight on Saturday 28 May near the intersection of Boundary Road and Derrimut Road.
It’s alleged the man damaged street and road work signs and used them to block the road to avoid traffic going down the street where other people were performing burnouts.
When police responded on the night following reports of the activity, it is alleged the man who was wearing a balaclava tried to swarm the police vehicle with several other people.
The crowd dispersed prior to more police units arriving on scene and an investigation commenced to hold those involved to account.
The second incident took place last night, where it is alleged the male was involved in a group of vehicles performing burnouts in Ravenhall, and before police arrived on scene moving to Sunshine West. It’s alleged they then moved to Drake Boulevard in Altona where they were speeding and performing burnouts.
Police responded to reports of the activity and upon arrival, the vehicles had dispersed. Police continued to patrol the areas overnight and are not aware of any further activity.
The 21-year-old man from Melton was charged and been bailed to appear at the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on 28 November.
As part of Operation Achilles, police will be ramping up their efforts this weekend and saturating hoon hot spots across Melbourne.
Police will continue to take appropriate action, including making arrests and seizing vehicles on the night, however this only the beginning of the work underway to keep dangerous drivers off the road.
When arrests are not made on the spot, full scale investigations are launched into those involved, including organisers, participants, and spectators.
Operation Achilles remains ongoing and anyone with information about illegal hoon activity is urged to report this to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
Quotes attributable to North West Metro Road Policing Inspector Mark Arneil
“This is not harmless fun – all this dangerous activity does is put the broader community and yourselves in danger, while also needlessly wasting police resources who could be occupied elsewhere.”
“We will be saturating hot spots in Melbourne’s west this weekend, and we’ll be monitoring event organisers and participants to disrupt any further activity.”
“Operation Achilles has led to hundreds of hoons being charged – if we don’t catch you on the night, it’s only a matter of time before you receive a knock on the door.”
