An overnight operation in the Wyndham area this week led to five arrests, four impounds and more than $10,000 of stolen goods seized.
Operation Shows - a regular nightly operation - sees local police work alongside specialist units including Air Wing, Dog Squad and Highway Patrol to target high risk driving in the area.
Those arrested overnight on Wednesday 25 October include:
• A 33-year-old unlicensed driver who allegedly failed to stop when police attempted to intercept his vehicle about 9pm. Air Wing followed the car from above before stop sticks were successfully deployed on Heaths Road, Werribee. He was charged with evading police, driving with false plates, theft of registration plates, theft of petrol, unlicensed driving and driving an unregistered vehicle. The Werribee man's car was also impounded.
• A 56-year-old man whose vehicle was intercepted on the Princes Highway about 10.30pm. During a search of the vehicle police located more than $10,000 worth of allegedly stolen goods including vitamins and baby formula, methylamphetamine and GHB. The St Albans man was charged and remanded for handling stolen goods, possessing the proceeds of crime, committing an indictable offence on bail and breach conditions of bail.
• A 19-year-old unlicensed driver who was caught by Air Wing driving at speeds of 140km/h on Ballan Road about 12.45am. The Wyndham Vale man also had cannabis allegedly in his possession and tested positive to a preliminary drug test. He was charged and remanded for dangerous driving, excessive speeding, unlicensed driving, breaching bail, possessing a drug of dependence and refusing a blood test.
• A 22-year-old unlicensed driver whose Ford Falcon was issued with a defect notice and impounded when intercepted on Wooteen Road about 9.35pm. His passenger, a 23-year-old Tarneit man, was arrested for two outstanding warrants.
Two others had their vehicles impounded for driving unlicensed and performing a burnout.
Police also caught up with a further 15 drivers, issuing them with infringement notices for driving offences including driving unregistered, driving unlicensed and disobey red light.
During the operation, more than 90 vehicles were checked and 31 were intercepted.
Operation Shows will continue to operate in the Wyndham area.
Anyone with information about dangerous drivers is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Quotes attributable to Wyndham Local Area Commander, Inspector Rachel Van Someron:
"Several of the drivers caught in this operation should never have been on the road in the first place.
"That's why we don't hesitate to impound their vehicles so dangerous drivers are removed from our roads.
"We take the safety of the Wyndham community seriously and that's why we'll continue to run these targeted operations.
"Anyone who thinks they can evade police, drive dangerously or without a licence can expect to see us knocking on their window."
