A MAN who allegedly performed burnouts as part of a gender reveal ceremony has been arrested.
The two alleged gender reveal incidents occurred in Keysborough on 10 July this year, and in Dandenong South on 5 July 2020. The offender would allegedly perform burnouts, with the colour of the tyre smoke revealing the gender of an unborn baby.
On 18 August, police arrested a 22-year-old Rowville man they allege was behind the wheel for the events. The man was slapped with 260 charges for dangerous driving and theft from motor vehicle offences. Some of the specific charges include reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, driver in a manner dangerous, and improper use of a motor vehicle.
Dandenong high risk driving unit sergeant Paul Holtzinger has warned of the danger of “hoon gender reveals”.
“If you’re celebrating an impending birth and want to reveal the gender of your child, pop a balloon or cut a cake. Don’t tear up our roads and recklessly put your family and friends in danger of serious injury or death,” he said. “We are aware of a trend where hoons are celebrating some of life’s most memorable moments, such as celebrating new arrivals to the family or weddings, by burning rubber and putting others in danger.
“It’s not only bizarre and illegal behaviour but has the real ability to turn a moment of celebration into tragedy. If you choose to engage in this kind of behaviour, the real surprise will come when we knock on your door. Hoon driving is not harmless fun – it is serious and dangerous, and police will relentlessly investigate those involved in organised hoon meets.”
Police also allege that the man and three co-offenders have stolen catalytic converters from vehicles in Dandenong, Cranbourne, Mordialloc and Cheltenham between May and August this year. More than 70 vehicles were allegedly damaged.
A 25-year-old Seaford man, a 27-year-old Cranbourne North man, and a 24-year-old Cranbourne West man have also been hit with charges in relation to the thefts.
“Catalytic converters are an essential part of a vehicle’s exhaust system and when stolen, they cause significant inconvenience for car owners and huge repair bills – police will not stand for this and anyone caught stealing them can expect to be hit with serious criminal charges,” Holtzinger said.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 24 August 2022