NORTH-WEST: 33 arrests in North-West blitz
More than 30 dangerous road users and car thieves were arrested during a four-night operation in Brimbank.
The co-ordinated operation saw police disrupt a local hoon meet in Keilor Park, arrest an alleged drug trafficker who riding at up to 200-kmh on a major freeway, and stopping a machete wielding car thief.
Operation Ghost is a regular nightly operation which sees local police work alongside the Public Order Response Team and Air Wing to target car thieves and dangerous driving in the area.
Local units including the Brimbank Neighbourhood Policing Team, Brimbank Crime Investigation Unit, Caroline Springs Crime Reduction Team and Brimbank Highway Patrol work alongside uniform police to saturate the area.
Some 33 people were arrested throughout the operation for speeding, stolen vehicles and dangerous driving. 38 fines were also issued for driving offences.
Four drivers were detected speeding more than 45-kmh over the limit, while seven were driving on a suspended or disqualified licence.
Police also detected six unregistered motor vehicles, three drink drivers and recovered one stolen car.
Six stolen or false numberplates were also recovered during the operation.
Key arrests included:
- A motorbike was observed by the Air Wing on the Western Ring Road, allegedly travelling of speeds up to 200-kmh at about 10.10pm on May 29. The motor-bike was tracked by the Air Wing to a street in Essendon where it came to a stop. Officers from the Public Order Response Team arrived a short time later and arrested a 32-year-old Point Cook man. Upon further searches, police located approximately $16,400 in cash as well as cannabis and methyl amphetamine. He was charged with reckless conduct, drive at a dangerous speed, affix false registration plates, unlicensed driving, unregistered motor vehicle, traffick cannabis as well as the possession of methyl amphetamine, proceeds of crime and a controlled weapon. The Point Cook man was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on August 18.
• Just before 11pm on Friday May 30, police received reports of an alleged hoon meet in Keilor Park with numerous vehicles performing burnouts. Several police units arrived in the area and the cars dispersed, with police intercepting four vehicles. One of the cars pulled over had an alleged cancelled registration and was impounded. The driver, a 22-year-old from Melton South, is expected to be charged on summons with driving in a dangerous manner, reckless conduct, driving p-plate prohibited vehicle and not driving to licence conditions.
Brimbank Local Area Commander, Acting Inspector Kerrie Clarke, said:
“We, like the community, are rightly concerned about dangerous driving on our roads, including those stealing cars to further their offending. Vehicle crime is a huge priority for us.”