Melbourne hoons: Spotters, ‘pit crew’ used at illegal car meet ups
Three men were arrested following yet another illegal car meet in Melbourne’s south as hoons use tactics from a popular movie franchise to win bragging rights.
South East
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Hoons across Melbourne’s south are employing tactics inspired by The Fast and the Furious movie franchise to dodge police and win bragging rights with “road graffiti”.
Southern Metro Division Four Highway Patrol acting senior sergeant Brian Bourke said illegal meets organised on social media via encrypted messages included spotters and “pit crew”.
“The spotters alert the drivers and spectators that police are on their way. By the time we get there they’re gone. It’s like The Fast and the Furious” Sgt Bourke said.
“We’ve also had reports from the police Air Wing that some meets have people with air guns; they’re changing blown tyres faster than a pit crew at Bathurst.”
Well known hoon hot spots include industrial estates in Carrum Downs, Braeside and Dandenong South.
However, the main roads including Frankston-Flinders Rd near the Mornington Peninsula town of Shoreham had also become popular for illegal meets.
Frankston-Flinders Rd near Shoreham and Point Leo has a speed limit of 80km/h and was recently named by former Mornington Peninsula mayor David Gill as one of the region’s most dangerous stretches.
Sgt Bourke said the Mornington Peninsula meets were usually only attended by drivers from Rosebud and Rye who competed to lay down “road graffiti for bragging rights”.
He said in one of the worst cases Frankston-Flinders Road had been blocked off by hoons so a meet could be held.
In another incident a passer by was threatened after trying to record car registrations.
“These people are getting more and more brazen. They think they are invincible and have the perception that there are no consequences for their actions,” Sgt Bourke said.
He said police would not tolerate the dangerous behaviour.
“You will be identified, you will face court and you will lose your car,” he said.
Police recently launched a statewide crackdown on hoons by using specialised intelligence to monitor hundreds of dangerous drivers.
Operation Achilles gave highway patrol officers, crime investigation units and divisional response units unprecedented access to intelligence to allow them to shut down hoon gatherings.
A drugged-up driver and a teen who allegedly flew 70km/h over the speed limit were among a number of hoons arrested following a Carrum Downs car meet.
It’s believed 100 cars packed the Frankston Gardens industrial estate on Monday night, with drivers allegedly performing burnouts and other stunts just metres from pedestrians just before 11pm.
Crowds dispersed when police and the Air Wing arrived, with three men arrested as they took off through surrounding areas.
“The first man is expected to be charged in relation to driving in a manner dangerous, improperly use motor vehicle, careless driving and use unroadworthy vehicle … his 2002 Holden Commodore sedan was impounded and he also provided a positive oral fluid test for drugs,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
“The second man who was pulled over on Hall Rd after displaying no P plates and was driving an unroadworthy Holden Commodore sedan.
“The third man, who was 18 years old, was followed by the Air Wing and was detected allegedly travelling 160km/h in a 90km/h zone.”
All three men are expected to be charged on summons.
Anyone with information about high risk driving is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or log onto www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
