Operation Wyatt, conducted by Westgate Highway Patrol in partnership with Sheriff’s officers, was set up outside Eagle Stadium on Ballan Road, where automatic number plate recognition technology was used to identify fine evaders.
Payment was received on the spot from 43 people to finalise 192 warrants, representing fines valued at more than $70,000.
Some 20 drivers had their wheels clamped and were required to arrange payments to have the clamps removed, while 19 drivers with 356 warrants, valued at more than $122,000, were notified that their driver licences or vehicle registrations would be suspended if they did not pay within seven days.
Westgate Highway Patrol sergeant Aaron Prentice-Evans said, from a policing perspective, the focus was on prohibited drivers and vehicles.
“But we also identified a number of seatbelt offences, a drug driver was detected, and one offender was processed for handling stolen goods,” he said.
Sergeant Prentice-Evans said the operation had been a success.
“We will be conducting similar operations over the course of the year at different locations across the division, so in Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong,” he said.
Victoria’s Sheriff Brendan Facey said anybody with concerns about outstanding fines could call 1300 SHERIFF to discuss their options.
