Police have seized vehicles and charged eight people during Operation X-Ray Antler, a hooning disruption operation in Brisbane and neighbouring policing districts on the long weekend.
The multi-district policing response successfully disrupted more than 30 vehicles attending an alleged hooning event across Brisbane and Ipswich between 2 to 3 May. Four vehicles are alleged to have participated in hooning driving behaviours.
To date, police have charged eight people with an array of offences including possess dangerous drugs, stealing (wheels), face masked, blackened or disguised with intent to commit indictable offence, tainted property, unlicenced driving and driving under the influence of drug.
Two vehicles were seized during the operation, a blue Ford Falcon and silver Ford Falcon.
Officers also issued 66 traffic infringement notices (TINS) to hoon participants, including 22 TINS for spectate (without reasonable excuse) in hooning group activity and 19 TINS for exceed speed limit.
One vehicle initially evaded police and conducted hooning offences on the Gateway Bridge.
However, a responding Highway Patrol unit successfully disrupted the alleged hoon to prevent them from committing further offences.
The operation was led by North Brisbane District (NBD) Highway Patrol and supported by Highway Patrol units and Tactical Crime Squad units from South Brisbane District and Ipswich.
Investigations remain ongoing into the hooning event and Gateway Bridge incident.
The latest hooning operation builds on the Queensland Police Service's ongoing commitment to detect and deter hooning offences.
Brisbane police have frequently run targeted operations to detect and disperse hooning meets over recent months.
Wherever hooning offences have occurred, police will thoroughly investigate and charge any identified offenders.
Earlier this year, NBD Criminal Investigations Branch charged a man following an alleged dangerous driving incident in Brisbane's east which resulted in serious injuries to multiple people.
It is alleged during early hours of 8 March, several vehicles were involved in hooning activity across the Brisbane and Moreton areas, before gathering at an industrial area in Hemmant.
Police will allege a blue Ford Falcon was performing burnouts when the vehicle became engulfed in flames while four occupants were inside.
All occupants sustained serious injuries, including a 20-year-old Woolloongabba man who sustained a critical leg injury during the fire. Those injured were transported to hospital for treatment.
The 20-year-old man remained in hospital for a month with serious injuries, requiring multiple surgeries.
Following investigations by detectives, a 24-year-old Woombye man was charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm, driving of motor vehicle without a driver licence disqualified by court order, and unlawful conduct participate in hooning group activity.
It will be alleged the man was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident.
The man is due to reappear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on 25 May.
A 20-year-old Kingston man was also charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and driving of motor vehicle without a driver licence. He is expected to reappear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on 18 May.
North Brisbane District Acting Superintendent Michael Hogan says police want the community to be aware of the inherent danger to drivers, passengers, and the community as a result of hooning.
"These reckless driving incidents are not harmless car enthusiast meets. Rather they are brazen behaviours that cause disruption and potential harm to motorists, including the hoon participants themselves."
"Engaging in these reckless activities can and has resulted in serious injuries and even lives being lost."
"Police have no tolerance for these senseless offences and will continue to run targeted operations to identify, disrupt, and take enforcement action against hooning."
"Anyone found to engage in hooning behaviours risk serious consequences, including imprisonment, fines, and vehicle impoundment."
Operation X-Ray Antler TINS from 2 to 3 May:
TINS:
• 22 x Spectate (without reasonable excuse) in hooning group activity
• 19 x Exceed speed limit
• 4 x Drive/park or permit drive/park defective vehicle (component not comply with vehicle standards)
• 2 x Type 1a(iv) Wilfully make unnecessary noise or smoke
• 2 x USE/PERMIT USE OF UNREG 5 OR 6 CYLINDER OR 3 ROTOR MOTOR VEHICLE
• 2 x Driving an uninsured class 1, 2, 6, 8, 13, 16 or 24 motor vehicle on a road
• 2 x Use/permit use vehicle without number plate attached as required under regulation
• 1 x Organise/promote/encourage to participate/spectate hoon group activity
• 1 x Drive during restricted driving period 11pm-5am without exemption
• 1 x Fail to produce drivers licence
• 1 x Type 2F High end speeding (40KM/H ABOVE)
• 1 x USE/PERMIT USE VEH WITH PLATE RECORDED AS CANC/LOST/STOLEN/DEST/DAM
• 1 x PERSON DRIVES VEH W/ MODIFIED SILENCING DEVICE WHICH REDUCES EFFECT
• 1 x Driver with open driver licence recently expired no more than 1 year
• 1 x Pedestrian disobey 'NO PEDESTRIAN' sign
• 1 x Drive in right lane on multi-lane road > 80km/h
• 1 x Stop contrary to 'NO STOPPING' sign
• 1 x P1 HOLDER FAIL TO DISPLAY LEGIBLE RED PLATE/S
• 1 x P1 DRIVER CARRYING > 1 PASS NOT IMMED FAMILY/
• 1 x USE/PERMIT USE VEH WITH PLATE RECORDED AS CANC/LOST/STOLEN/DES T/DAM
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads.
As part of Operation Interpose, police are bolstering high-visibility patrols right across the state, engaging with road users and enforcing the laws to deter dangerous driving behaviours.
Queenslanders can expect police – anywhere, anytime. However, enforcement alone cannot stop all dangerous driving behaviours.
Driving under the influence, speeding, driving distracted or while fatigued, or not wearing a seatbelt puts your life – and the lives of others – at serious risk. These dangerous behaviours will not be tolerated.
Road safety starts with you.
