Police blitz 600 cars

By Callan Date
ENDEAVOUR Hills Police made their presence felt during a major operation last Saturday night.
Police stopped more than 600 cars during Operation Presence – targeting traffic and drug offenders in the Endeavour Hills area north of Heatherton Road.
Sergeant Darren Shaw said police set up road blocks in several suburban streets from 2.30pm and stopped and searched vehicles.
He said the operation ended about 8pm when a car with stolen registration plates fled the scene.
“We planned to run the operation until 10pm but it effectively ended when we were required to conduct a pursuit,” Sgt Shaw said.
He said a 20-year-old Narre Warren South man was charged with two counts of theft and one count of endangering a person while his passenger, a 17-year-old Narre Warren North girl, was also charged with one count of theft.
Sgt Shaw said 16 penalty notices were also issued to drivers and four other charges were laid against motorists.
“This was a successful operation and will be conducted again in the near future,” he said.
He said the rise in fatalities in the Casey and surrounding areas over the past two weeks was a timely reminder for all motorists to adhere to the road rules.
“With Christmas approaching people need to be cautious,” Sgt Shaw said.