Logan City and Gold Coast police have expressed their disappointment and shock after the dangerous behaviour of hundreds of hooning drivers at the Pimpama Bunnings over the weekend, including throwing fireworks at police on scene.
A/Chief Superintendent Geoff Sheldon, District Officer said police investigations are on-going with officers reviewing CCTV, police body worn and dashcam footage, as well as Polair vision to identify the vehicles of those involved and locate the offenders.
Officer Sheldon said the behaviour was blatantly criminal and clearly dangerous.
“There is evidence of people driving vehicles dangerously in a crowded area. Projectiles, including fireworks, were thrown at police with three police vehicles sustaining minor damage. This type of behaviour is unacceptable, disrespectful and life endangering and we will act to the full extent of the law to keep the community safe,” he said.
“This behaviour is outrageous, clearly dangerous and will not be tolerated on our streets and in our suburbs.
“We are determined to locate as many vehicles and people involved in these overnight disturbances and dangerous driving incidents and they can expect to feel the full force of the law.
“Where we have the evidence we will put people before the Courts, when appropriate seize their cars and or issue traffic infringement notices.”
Throughout the evening police resources from Logan City and the Gold Coast, as well as Polair attended locations in Pimpama, Yatala and Molendinar where very large number of vehicles had gathered.
At around 10pm police attended a gathering of approximately 600 vehicles and 1,000 people in the carpark of the Pimpama Bunnings on Yawalpah Road.
Projectiles, including fireworks, where thrown at police with three police vehicles sustaining minor damage.
The vehicles dispersed with many re-forming in the industrial area around Export Drive, Molendinar where an unmarked police vehicle sustained moderate damage after projectiles were thrown at it.
A man filming the vehicles was allegedly assaulted near a Coomera shopping centre with police issuing a Notice to Appear to a 20-yer-old Coomera man in relation to the incident. He is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on April 23.
Just after midnight police attended a single vehicle crash on Ashmore Road, Molendinar, believed to involve a vehicle that was part of one of the gatherings. The driver, a 17-year-old male, was transported to Gold Coast University Hospital with serious injuries. Two passengers were treated for minor injuries.
An 18-year-old man from Pimpama has been given a notice to appear on two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. He is due to face Beenleigh Magistrates Court on April 28.
A 22-year-old man from Parkwood has been given a notice to appear on dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. He is due to face Beenleigh Magistrates Court on June 4.
Police have seized three vehicles as a Type 1 impoundment which means they will be held for 90 days.
There have also been 93 traffic infringement notices issued for various offences including defective vehicle, speeding and obstruct traffic.
Police will continue to review mobile phone and dashcam vision to identify any further charges stemming from the gathering.
Investigations are ongoing.
Fortunately, no Logan City or Gold Coast police officers were physically injured.
