Three alleged hoon drivers have been charged by Achilles Taskforce officers following a hoon meet in Melbourne's north earlier this week.
Those charged are also allegedly linked to another hoon meet last month. Both events allegedly involved tyres on cars bursting, passengers hanging out of windows and spectators coming close to being struck.
Police will allege several vehicles congregated at Northgate Drive and Brand Avenue in Thomastown on Monday night, to perform burnouts in front of a crowd of people.
Vehicles allegedly took turns to perform burnouts near the crowd, with spectators having to take evasive action a number of times to avoid being struck.
Several cars burst their rear tyres with sparks and rubber flying into the crowd.
Police were called to the area at about 9.30pm, observing a large amount of smoke before the cars began to disperse.
Officers from North West Metro Region's Achilles Taskforce wasted no time investigating the matter, which led to a series of search warrants being executed across Melbourne's north and western suburbs this morning.
Three cars were impounded by police, including:
• 1994 blue Ford Falcon sedan
• 2000 white Holden Commodore sedan
• 2003 Toyota Corolla
The three men arrested include:
• 23-year-old man from Mill Park
• 21-year-old man from Craigieburn
• 19-year-old man from Point Cook
Police will also allege those involved in Monday night's event were a part of another dangerous hoon meet last month.
It's alleged that several vehicles congregated at the intersection of Ovata Drive and Salinga Drive at about 11.40pm on 14 November, with spectators lining the streets to watch.
On one occasion, it's alleged a passenger only had one leg inside the car, with the rest of their body hanging out of the window while the car spun out of control.
The incident was not reported to police on the night, but in the following days afterwards by a nearby business who noticed the damage on the street.
All three men have been charged with reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, drive in a dangerous manner, improper use of a motor vehicle and multiple traffic offences.
They have all been bailed to appear at Sunshine Magistrates' Court on 6 June.
Since 1 January this year across metropolitan Melbourne, Operation Achilles had led to:
• 67 hoon drivers, organisers and spectators arrested
• 56 offenders charged with a collective 705 charges
• 33 search warrants
• 100 vehicles impounded
The investigation into these incidents remain ongoing and anyone with information on hoon driving is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link.
Quotes attributable to Acting Senior Sergeant Simon Borg, North West Metro Region Achilles Taskforce
"Those involved in racing around our streets and performing out of control burnouts, as well as those lining the streets to watch are not just taking part in a bit of fun - this has significant potential to end in disaster.
"For this reason, we do not just target hoon drivers as part of Operation Achilles, but also those who organise, attend and ultimately fuel organised hoon driving events.
"The dedicated police working as part of the Achilles Taskforce have a comprehensive understanding of the hoon environment in Melbourne's northwest.
"We know who the main organisers are and we are regularly catching up with these people to disrupt any potential offending.
"The swift arrests that have occurred today highlight the pressure we will continue to apply to those who may avoid being arrested at the time of an event - we will not rest until offenders are in custody."
