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Rocks, bricks thrown at Gold Coast police after they smash Robina hooning meet

Police have had rocks and bricks thrown at them by masked offenders after breaking up a huge group of hoons on the Gold Coast. Full details.

Police stop alleged hoons on the Gold Coast

Rocks and bricks were thrown at police after officers broke up a group of around 100 hoons who gathered on the Gold Coast to “protest” against anti-hooning laws.

Officers conducting Operation Victor Carve – which targets hooning and anti-social behaviour – came under fire after disrupting the group on Christine Avenue at Robina at 6.30pm on Saturday.

Hoon groups had earlier in the week called on members to gather in the Bunnings car park on Christine Ave last night for a march in protest against new laws which passed parliament on April 20.

The laws made it an offence to organise, promote, participate in or be a spectator at a group hooning activity.

People outside the McDonald's at Christine Ave in Robina on Saturday May 6 as police conducted an operation targeting hoons in the area.
People outside the McDonald's at Christine Ave in Robina on Saturday May 6 as police conducted an operation targeting hoons in the area.

After moving to disrupt the gathering on Saturday, police said some of those present donned balaclavas to hide their identity as cars fled into surrounding streets.

Police then had rocks, bricks and other projectiles thrown at them, injuring two officers and damaging a police van.

Specialist police from the Public Safety Response Team, accompanied by the Dog Squad and PolAir, detained several people as they brought the situation under control.

A large crowd pictured on the road outside the McDonald's at Christine Ave in Robina on Saturday May 6 as police conducted an operation targeting hoons in the area. Picture: Nine Gold Coast News.
A large crowd pictured on the road outside the McDonald's at Christine Ave in Robina on Saturday May 6 as police conducted an operation targeting hoons in the area. Picture: Nine Gold Coast News.
A large crowd pictured at Christine Ave in Robina on Saturday May 6 as police conducted an operation targeting hoons in the area. Picture: Nine Gold Coast News.
A large crowd pictured at Christine Ave in Robina on Saturday May 6 as police conducted an operation targeting hoons in the area. Picture: Nine Gold Coast News.

While a number of those detained were later released, a 20-year-old Boondall man has since been charged with two counts of serious assault of police and one count of wilful damage of Commissioner’s property.

He is expected to appear before Southport Magistrates Court on May 29.

Residents who witnessed the scene said nearby businesses were forced to close as police sought to bring the situation under control.

“Please avoid Robina, over 200 kids have gone on a rampage around the Bunnings area, all over the streets,” one wrote on social media.

“Police have surrounded the area and blocked off streets. Maccas is closed, KFC also.”

A large crowd pictures on the road outside the McDonald's at Christine Ave in Robina on Saturday May 6 as police conducted an operation targeting hoons in the area. Picture: Nine Gold Coast News.
A large crowd pictures on the road outside the McDonald's at Christine Ave in Robina on Saturday May 6 as police conducted an operation targeting hoons in the area. Picture: Nine Gold Coast News.

Police said investigations are ongoing to identify offenders and are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the group of cars, or who may have dash-cam or CCTV footage, to contact them.

The break-up of the hooning meet was the second major incident dealt with by officers under Operation Victor Carve in recent weeks.

On Saturday March 18, police seized two cars, issued 65 infringement notices and charged 16 people after targeting hoons in a number of locations across the city.

keith.woods@news.com.au

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-gold-coast/rocks-bricks-thrown-at-gold-coast-police-after-they-smash-robina-hooning-meet/news-story/e4c99875cc2996e0649be2b8b22a5699