By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
POLICE this morning arrested three alleged ringleaders of the Skids hoon gangs.
On Monday 7 March a 23-year-old Mornington man was arrested at a Melinga Crescent home, a 21-year-old Greensborough man was arrested at a Cosham Court home, and a 21-year-old Mount Martha man was arrested at a Balcombe Drive property.
It comes after five youths from Hampton Park, Cranbourne North and Cranbourne South were charged on Friday, with police claiming they had “shut down” the rival south-east and north-west Skids gangs.
A total of nine people were charged on Friday 4 March after Taskforce Regarder seized a black 2003 Holden ute from a Dulnain Court home in Hampton Park and an orange VT Holden Commodore from a Greta Court house in Ferntree Gully in the early hours of the morning.
Among those charged on Friday were two men from Hampton Park aged 28 and 23, two men from Cranbourne North aged 22 and 23, a 20-year-old Cranbourne South man, an 18-year-old Somerville man, a 28-year-old Langwarrin South man, a 19-year-old Gladstone Park man, and a 20-year-old Ferntree Gully man.
They have all been bailed to face Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 11 May.
In all, police have charged 35 people and seized 21 vehicles since Taskforce Regarder started a month ago.
Acting Inspector Michael Daly told reporters outside Dandenong police station on Friday that police had “effectively shut down the south-east Skids and north-west Skids hierarchies”.
“We’ve charged numerous people and, basically, put a stop to it,” he said.
Insp Daly said the rival hoons had been meeting in the Melbourne’s northern or southern suburbs and holding “a contest against each other”.
Two teenagers were killed in January when their ute crashed off the E.J Whitten Bridge in Keilor East, and police believe they had earlier been at a drag race, allegedly organised by the northern Skids.
Meanwhile, a police spokeswoman said Monday’s arrest in Mount Martha followed an investigation into an incident where a 21-year-old female onlooker was allegedly struck by a vehicle during a Skids meet at Licola Crescent in Dandenong South in early September. She was taken to hospital but did not suffer any serious injuries.
“If these offenders want to treat their cars as weapons then we will, too.
“We will seize them and keep them as exhibits as we do with any other weapon,” Insp Daly said.
“And let us be clear, our focus extends beyond the drivers themselves to the spectators.
“If you are a spectator and you think you’re innocent in it all – you’re not. You’re encouraging dangerous and even deadly behaviour.
“We are investigating your involvement and will prosecute you.”
The charges issued on Friday include conduct endangering serious injury, conduct endangering life and other hoon offences.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
