Wyndham police have arrested a man discovered with 15 weapons, including knives, machetes, axes, and imitation firearms, as part of an operation which sees multiple police units flood the local area on a regular basis.
Last night, police intercepted a Proton sedan as part of Operation Shows on Kookaburra Avenue, Werribee at about 11:50pm
Upon approaching the vehicle, police allegedly spotted drug paraphernalia in the front passenger seat, the passenger was directed by Police to exit the vehicle for a search prompting the 27year old male passenger to decamp on foot, dropping an imitation firearm in the process.
A short foot chase occurred, ending in a nearby yard where the man further resisted arrest, then decamped over fences.
Uniform police then called in the Dog Squad who tracked the man to a rear yard on Derrimut Road, Werribee locating him concealed under bushes, between a fence and shed.
During the arrest, the offender sustained a dog bite to his leg and was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment.
The vehicle the male fled from was searched by police, who uncovered:
- Eight knives
- Three machetes
- Two axes
- Two imitation firearms
- Approximately 50 grams of Cannabis
The 27 year old Werribee man has been charged with possess imitation firearms, possess controlled weapons, possess a drug of dependence, possess cannabis, and resist arrest.
He was subsequently bailed to appear at the Werribee Magistrates Court on 6th July 2023
The arrest came as part of Operation Shows, which was established in January 2022 following an increase in motorbike riders and young male drivers driving at dangerously high speeds and attempting to evade police in the local area.
As part of the dedicated operation, uniform police work collaboratively with the Highway Patrol, Wyndham Crime Investigation Unit, Divisional Response Unit.
Victoria Police's Air Wing unit also scour the area to detect any potentially risky drivers, with units on the ground responding. The Dog Squad are also available in the area to search for any offenders who attempt to flee
Given the heavy police presence, other offenders are also regularly identified and arrested as part of the operation.
Last night alone, 45 offenders were charged with 67 traffic and crime offences.
Key results from the night of action, included:
- Four weapon offences
- Four possess drug of dependence
- Six vehicles impounded
- Nine unlicensed drivers
- Eight speeding fines
- Seven unregistered vehicles
- Six disobey red light
- Five drive while suspended or disqualified
Local police developed Operation Shows to halt high-risk drivers in their tracks with 282 offenders processed for 451 crime and traffic offences last year.
Quotes attributed to Senior Sergeant Vanessa Tzounos:
"Generally, those who attempt to evade police have something they don't want us to know and while there are those who attempt to run, they can never hide from police.
"If you have a weapon, the chances are it will be used sooner or later. For this reason, we are determined to take knives and other weapons off the street before they can be used on someone.
"Operation Shows led to more than 280 offenders processed last year, with a further 45 offenders processed in one night this week.
