Police have charged two alleged hoon drivers and seized their cars, while a further 18 people are also expected to be charged as part of their ongoing efforts to disrupt hoon driving.
Warrants were executed late last week following an alleged hoon meet in Coolaroo last month, where several cars were gathered to perform burnouts while spectators watched on.
At about 7.45pm on Friday 28 April, police attended the vicinity of Zakwell Court and Motto Drive after receiving reports of vehicles congregating in the area making loud noise.
Upon arrival, police observed several cars performing burnouts and driving dangerously in the street with spectators watching.
It’s also alleged that the group shined laser pointers into police vehicles.
The cars dispersed and the attending police units gathered intelligence to investigate all circumstances surrounding the event.
The investigation culminated late last week with police executing a series of search warrants in Craigieburn and Truganina, seizing two cars and arresting two men.
A 19-year-old Craigieburn man has been charged with reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, drive in a dangerous manner, improper use of a motor vehicle, drive a prohibited vehicle on a probationary licence, using a vehicle that does not comply with registration standards, possession of cannabis and possession of an imitation firearm. He has been bailed to appear at the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on 3 November.
A 23-year-old Truganina man has been charged with reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, drive in a dangerous manner, improper use of a motor vehicle and drive a prohibited vehicle on a probationary licence. He has been bailed to appear at the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on 6 November.
Police have also issued notices to a further 18 car owners as part of Section 60 of the Road Safety Act, which relates to the duty of an owner of a motor vehicle to provide information about the driver. Once this occurs it is expected that the 18 people identified to be driving those vehicles on 28 April will be charged on summons.
In the first two years of Operation Achilles, police charged 363 hoon drivers with 2,931 offences. 375 vehicles connected to hooning were also seized, while almost 791 unroadworthy notices were issued.
Hoon driving events declined by more than 75% in the two years since Operation Achilles was formed in February 2021.
Anyone with information about illegal hoon activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
If you witness hooning activity, call Triple Zero (000) for immediate police attendance.
Quotes attributable to North West Metro Region Achilles Taskforce Acting Senior Sergeant Sean Foley:
“With the number of lives lost on Victorian roads this year, it should be a wake up call that no one is invincible, especially those putting themselves and others at great risk by engaging in hoon events.
“The margin for error at a hoon event is extremely small, and the risk is even greater when spectators are lining the streets to watch from metres away while cars perform burnouts.
“We are absolutely committed to stamping out these events – the minute you cross the line and engage in hoon activity, you won’t be able to hide from police.”
