Dozens of drivers from Wyndham have been arrested in a police operation targeting high risk motorists.
Over two nights police impounded four vehicles and arrested 37 people for offences including driving stolen vehicles, drug and drink driving, unlicenced driving and evading police.
Victoria Police’s Air Wing scoured the area from above to detect risky behaviour.
Units on the ground intercepted motorists and the dog squad searched for offenders attempting to flee the scene.
In one incident on Friday 18 Feburary the Air Wing detected a vehicle travelling at high speed in Hoppers Crossing at about 7.30pm. Highway Patrol responded and attempted to intercept the vehicle before it evaded police. The Air Wing followed the vehicle to Strathmore Crescent where the passenger got out of the vehicle before it drove off again. Uniform police responded, located the passenger and arrested him. The vehicle was then tracked by the Air Wing to Broadlands Court where multiple units on the ground responded and arrested the male for speeding and evading police.
About one hour later at approximately 8.30pm, the Air Wing observed two males allegedly trespassing a wrecking yard in Laverton North. Two of the business owners arrived after sighting the males on CCTV, with one attempting to confront the males who allegedly produced a knife. The two males fled in a vehicle on the Federation Trail and allegedly struck the other business owner at low speed who was walking up the path. The victim was luckily not injured. The Air Wing tracked the vehicle to a commercial address a short distance later where multiple units on the ground were able to move in and arrest the male driver.
Police will again be out saturating the area over the next week as part of Operation Shows.
Inspector Darren Bentley said police have “zero tolerance” for wild driving.
“Anyone selfish enough to risk the lives of others on our roads by speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or driving unlicenced can prepare to see our flashing lights in their rear-view mirror very soon,“ he said.
Wyndham’s Highway Patrol officers regularly monitor the streets and say they are focused on apprehending offenders in an ongoing effort to reduce road risk.
