An 18-year-old hoon is facing serious criminal charges after he was caught drifting and doing burnouts in Warrnambool overnight.
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Western region division two road safety manager Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Asenjo said the Surf Coast teen was arrested in the car park of Warrnambool’s breakwater about 9pm on Wednesday.
“A concerned witness contacted 000 in relation to a car driving dangerously in the area,” he said.
“Myself and detectives from Warrnambool CIU (Crime Investigation Unit) and SOCIT (Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team) were out on an unrelated task when we attended the location.
“We observed a blue Ford hatchback drifting in the car park. The vehicle was subsequently intercepted and the male was arrested and charged with conduct endangering life, dangerous driving and improper use of a motor vehicle.”
The motorist was also issued with a notice to surrender his vehicle to be impounded and will appear in court at a later date.
Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Asenjo said the behaviour was “absolutely reckless”.
“This is a location that is popular at all hours of the day. Witnesses believed the motorist was going to collide with their vehicles, it is pretty concerning,” he said.
“We are treating this as not only a traffic offence, but as a crime.
“If you willingly drive in a reckless and dangerous matter, you can expect to be dealt with in the criminal stream of law and not just road police.”
Acting Senior Sergeant Asenjo said members from highway patrol were trained in road policing and collision investigation.
“This means they’re taking more of an analytical and investigatory approach to road and traffic policing,” he said.
“Motorists can expect to be photographed and fingerprinted. They can expect to receive more serious charges and harsher penalties, including up to 20 years in jail.”
Witnesses were praised for their help in catching the hoon driver.
“They saw the motorist conducting himself in a dangerous matter at the car park and contacted 000 straight away,” Acting Senior Sergeant Asenjo said.
“They were also prepared to make a statement, which was very useful as the gentleman initially denied the dangerous driving. This sort of assistance from the public is really fantastic.”
Anyone with information or footage of the offending should call Warrnambool police on 5560 1333 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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