Detectives from the VIPER Taskforce have this week charged four people as part of an investigation into allegedly attempting to pervert the course of justice following an attempted intercept and evade of a dangerous driver in February of this year.
Police attempted to intercept a grey Land Rover during a pursuit after it was spotted being driven in a dangerous manner through the Domain Tunnel around 1pm on Monday, 26 February.
The vehicle, travelling east, failed to stop and fled police at the Burnley exit.
The registered owner of the vehicle, a 22-year-old Box Hill woman, subsequently nominated a 23-year-old Reservoir man as the driver.
He was arrested and interviewed by police on Friday, 26 April and initially identified himself as the driver, before admitting he had been asked to fraudulently identify himself as the driver by a 25-year-old Lalor woman.
An investigation by members from Highway Patrol identified the actual driver as a 31-year-old Wheelers Hill man and the investigation was transferred to the VIPER Taskforce.
In May of this year, four search warrants were executed at residential addresses in in Reservoir, Lalor, Blackburn and Bayswater North.
A 25-year-old Lalor woman and a 23-year-old Reservoir man were both charged on Tuesday (8 October) with attempt to pervert the course of justice.
The duo was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 10 October.
A 22-year-old Box Hill woman and a 31-year-old Reservoir man were both charged on Wednesday (9 October) with attempt to pervert the course of justice and dangerous driving whilst pursued by police.
They were bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 10 October.
Investigators will allege the 25-year-old Lalor woman recruited the 31-year-old Reservoir man to nominate himself for a driving offence committed by another person.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information on organised criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an anonymous report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
