Two teens arrested, car impounded in Gympie hoon crackdown

Alleged teen ‘hoons’ have been arrested after posting video of themselves to social media as police mobilise to stem the escalating menace on Gympie roads and streets.

Two teenagers have been charged and a vehicle seized in a regional police investigation targeting hoons, reckless drivers, unregistered vehicles and false number plates.

The 18-year-olds were arrested on Saturday, September 2, 2023, when Gympie police executed five search warrants across the region as part of Operation Victor Coriolis.

Inspector Brad Inskip from the Gympie Patrol Group said at an address to media on Monday afternoon the issue was a worsening one in the Gympie region.

“Essentially it is one of the things the community is very concerned about,” he said.

Hooning had “escalated recently” to include some “pretty bad offences not just at night but in the day in built-up areas”.

“It is getting increasingly dangerous. It’s really dangerous and risky behaviour.”

Police intelligence suggested the cohort of offenders in Gympie was small, Insp Inskip said. Police expect to charge more offenders in the coming days and weeks.

Saturday’s operation allegedly located cloned number plates, clothing, phones and a vehicle.

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The teenagers were allegedly known to each other and were posting videos of their burnouts and hooning on social media.

The vehicle involved was impounded.

The two 18-year-olds were arrested on Saturday, September 2, 2023, when Gympie police officers executed five search warrants at addresses across the region as part of Operation Victor Coriolis. Picture: Police Media

The 18-year-old from Widgee was on Monday in police custody and facing charges of driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle on a suspended demerit point licence with false plates.

He has also been charged with obstructing police and is expected to appear in Gympie Magistrates Court on September 21, 2023.

Police said they also arrested an 18-year-old from Bundaberg who lives in Gympie and have charged him with three counts of dangerous operation of a car, wilful damage, causing smoke from driving, driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle on a disqualified licence with false plates.

He is expected to appear at Gympie Magistrates Court on September 4.

The alleged social media videos showing the extent of their hooning, along with help from the public, informed police investigations, which remain ongoing, police said.

The two 18-year-olds were arrested on Saturday, September 2, 2023, when Gympie police executed five search warrants as part of Operation Victor Coriolis. Picture: Police Media

“Police attached to Operation Victor Coriolis continue to target, disrupt and prosecute alleged hooning activity across Gympie district and encourage the community to report and securely upload digital evidence including videos and photos of offences online,” the statement said.

“Our message to anyone taking part in high-risk activities on our roads is that we will continue to target you, investigate and take action against you,” Gympie Patrol Group Inspector Brad Inskip said.

“You can expect the vehicle you are using for your dangerous antics and anti-social behaviour to be seized and removed from your possession before it causes injury to an innocent member of the public.”

The public can report hoon activity by contacting the QPS Hoon Hotline on 13HOON or making a report online.