Police say they have arrested the Greensborough ring leader of a hoon group based in the north-west.
Taskforce Regarder executed warrants in Greensborough, Mornington and Mount Martha on Monday morning following an investigation into an incident where a 21-year-old female onlooker was allegedly struck by a car during a so-called skids meet in Dandenong South
The 21-year-old from Greensborough was arrested along with a 23-year-old Mornington man and a 21-year-old man from Mount Martha.
Taskforce Regarder has charged 35 people and seized 21 cars since November last year.
Sunshine Police Inspector Dave Byrt told Star Weekly last month hundreds of hoons were gathering in industrial estates, including areas of Tullamarine, under the banner of the Northern Skids.
Hoons were also meeting in Campbellfield and Thomastown for drag races and practice-burn outs organised by text message and social media.
In January, teenagers Harley Churchill, 19, and Ivana Clonaridis, 18, were killed when their ute plunged 15 metres off the EJ Whitten Bridge in Keilor East while competing in a deadly drag race, travelling at speeds up to 160 kilometres an hour.
It has been reported Mr Churchill and Ms Clonaridis had been at an illegal street racing event organised by the Northern Skids before their death.
Just before their crash, police allege more than 100 cars were hooning and doing burn-outs in Campbellfield at an organised event.
Inspector Michael Daly said with today’s arrests the taskforce had “effectively shut down” the Northern Skids and South East Skids.
with Alexandra Laskie
