Police arrest three people in relation to notorious hoon gangs in Melbourne

TWO notorious gatherings for drag races in Melbourne, including one where two people died, have been shut down and three ringleaders arrested.

Ringleaders of hoon gangs arrested

TWO notorious hoon meets, which led to the death of two teens, have been shut down.

It is believed revheads across Melbourne would meet at either the Northern Skids or South East Skids events where burnouts and drag races were encouraged.

Ivana Clonaridis died in a crash after the Northern Skids event. Source: Facebook

Through Taskforce Regarder, three ringleaders of the Melbourne hoon gangs were arrested this morning.

Police raided houses and arrested a 23-year-old man from Mornington and a 21-year-old from Greensborough in relation to the Northern Skids and South East Skids gatherings.

A third man, 21, was arrested in Mount Martha as part of an investigation into an incident where a 21-year-old woman was struck by a car during a skids meet.

Police stepped up Taskforce Regarder after Harley Churchill, 19, and Ivana Clonardis, 18, were killed after they left the Northern Skids event on January 27.

The pair competed in a drag race and plummeted off the EJ Whitten Bridge.

Adem Arpaci, 21, of Delahey, was charged over the fiery crash.

Taskforce Regarder began in November last year, with 35 people charged and 21 vehicles seized so far.

Inspector Michael Daly said the operation had “effectively shut down the South East Skids and Northern Skids hoon groups”.

A further nine men aged 19 to 28 were charged on Friday with multiple offences, including conduct endangering life, and will all appear in Dandenong Magistrates Court on May 11.