UPDATE: An urgent police operation in Werribee has led to the arrest of 14 individuals following a dramatic incident involving a driver who allegedly rammed a police vehicle. The operation, known as Operation Shows, took place on the night of October 31, 2023, resulting in significant findings including a firearm, drugs, and over $54,000 in cash.
Authorities reported that the incident began around 10:50 PM when officers were patrolling the Tarneit area. Upon noticing three vehicles in a car park, police approached one of them, prompting the driver to reverse into the police car and flee, narrowly avoiding an officer. The vehicle was tracked by the Air Wing, which witnessed a passenger jump from the moving car on Inverell Parkway.
The driver, identified as a 21-year-old man from Essendon, was apprehended shortly afterward on Kalorama Street, where he attempted to hide behind a property fence. With the assistance of Air Wing, police located and arrested him without incident. A search of the vehicle revealed a handgun, ammunition, and quantities of cocaine and MDMA.
The arrested man faces multiple charges including aggravated intentional exposure of a police officer to risk, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, and trafficking cocaine and ecstasy. He is scheduled to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on January 27, 2024.
In total, the two-night operation resulted in the interception of over 140 vehicles and the execution of 57 breath tests. Police impounded nine vehicles and recovered four stolen ones. Additionally, eleven drivers were issued penalties for various traffic offenses, including driving with false plates and unregistered vehicles.
Detective Senior Sergeant Matt Lewis from the Wyndham Crime Investigation Unit emphasized the operation’s significance in curtailing criminal activity: “These arrests show that while you might not always see us, we are always there.”
As police continue to run this operation regularly in the Wyndham area, the community is urged to remain vigilant. The impact of these arrests is felt deeply within the local community, highlighting the ongoing battle against drug-related crime and ensuring safer streets for residents.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
