Police charge driver with 52 hoon and drug related offences

Members of the Dandenong High-Risk Driving Unit have charged a 24-year-old Beveridge man following a targeted, eight-month investigation into illegal driver behaviour.

On Thursday evening, police arrested the man after intercepting a white 2000 Mazda van travelling on Burbank Drive, Reservoir. The vehicle was subsequently seized under a search warrant.

Members then executed a search warrant at a residential address on Friday morning in Beveridge, seizing the following items:

– A set of cancelled registration plates

– A small amount of what is alleged to be methylamphetamine, MDMA, heroin and 1,4-Butanediol

– Knuckle dusters

– Laser pointer

It is alleged the man was involved in an incident which took place on 8 July 2021 on Commercial Drive in Lynbrook where a white 2000 Mazda van performed burnouts and drove at speed in close proximity to approximately 100 spectators.

The vehicle has allegedly been linked to four other hoon gatherings over the past eight months in Keysborough, Truganina and Thomastown engaging in similar, reckless driver behaviour.

The 24-year-old man has been charged with a total of 52 offences including reckless conduct endangering life and serious injury, deliberate loss of traction, drive in a dangerous manner, driving while disqualified, use of an unsafe vehicle, unaccompanied learner, criminal damage, possession of a drug of dependence, possession of a prohibited weapon and commit an indictable offence while on bail.

He was release released on bail to appear before the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court at a later date.

Police will retain the vehicle seized until the matter is finalised at court.

Quotes attributed to Inspector Dean Grande:

“Across the state we have seen a significant reduction in hoon activity however this does not mean police sit idly by and wait for hoon gatherings to occur.”

“Make no mistake, you will not escape police detection. If you are selfish enough to risk the lives of innocent road users by partaking in hoon activity, prepare to get a knock on your door.”

“We will continue to apply pressure to those who escape detection on the night of an event, and we will not rest until we have offenders in custody with some facing upward of six years jail time for their behaviour.”

/Public Release. View in full here.