A 23-year-old Clyde North man will face drugs and dangerous driving charges in relation to an alleged hooning event in Dandenong in May.
Police will allege the Clyde North man, along with a 35-year-old Forest Hill man and a 46-year-old Bowenvale man engaged in hoon activity on Bennet Street, Dandenong, on Sunday 15 May at around 11am.
The group allegedly caused their vehicles to deliberately lose traction near a large group of spectators, narrowly avoiding onlookers and crossing onto the wrong side of the road, police say.
Three separate search warrants were executed as part of the investigation in Forest Hill, Bowenvale, and Clyde North between 27 July and 25 November.
Police seized three Holden cars, more than 600 pills of what police will allege is MDMA, roughly 24 grams of alleged ketamine, knuckle dusters, ammunition and a small amount of what police believe to be cocaine.
A 23-year-old Clyde North man arrested on 25 November has been charged with reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, traffick and possess ketamine and MDMA, possess cocaine, possess a prohibited weapon, possess ammunition, drive in manner dangerous, improper use of motor vehicle, public nuisance, and make unnecessary noise and smoke.
He has been bailed to appear before the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 4 May 2023.
A 35-year-old Forest Hill man and a 46-year-old Bowenvale man have been charged with reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, drive in manner dangerous, improper use of motor vehicle, public nuisance, and make unnecessary noise and smoke.
The Forest Hill man, arrested on 27 July has been bailed to appear before the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 2 December.
The Bowenvale man, arrested on 3 November has been bailed to appear before the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 2 April 2023.
Dandenong Achilles Taskforce Sergeant, Paul Holtzinger said the message from police to those who engage in hoon activity is “crystal clear.”
“The minute you cross the line and engage in hoon activity, you won’t be able to hide from police,” Sgt Holtzinger said.
“We will continue to apply pressure to those who escape detection at the time of an event, and we will not rest until all offenders are in custody.
“As we head into warmer weather and the holiday period, we know that traditionally hoons will come out and try their luck when it comes to flouting the law.
“If you choose to threaten the safety of our community through your selfish and reckless actions on the roads, sooner or later, police will be knocking on your door.”
The arrests come as Victoria Police firmly puts hoon drivers on notice ahead warmer weather, a time when police traditionally see an increase in hoon activity.
As part of Operation Achilles, police have a relentless focus on holding those responsible for participating in, inciting, or spectating organised hooning events to account across Casey, Cardinia, and Greater Dandenong.
Since the beginning of January across metropolitan Melbourne, Operation Achilles has resulted in 65 arrests, 54 offenders charged, 720 charges laid and 98 vehicles impounded.
If you witness, have dashcam, or CCTV footage of any intentional high-risk driving, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or lodge a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au
In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000).
