Cops sting Candy cruise

POLICE have issued dozens of infringement notices as part of an “anti-hooning operation” during a car cruise promoted by Gold Coast social media influencer Troy ‘Candy’ Williams.

Mr Williams (pictured) has since told the Bulletin he was not supportive of any hooning behaviour.

The “Gold Coast Meet Up” cruise between Bunnings at Arundel and Goodlife Health Clubs Bundall on Thursday was advertised by LMCT+.

Mr Williams’ Instagram page – which is followed by almost 220,000 accounts – states he is an “official LMCT+ partner”, as well as the founder of Eye Candy Motorsports.

The page showcases Mr Williams’ flashy lifestyle and vehicles including a Rolls Royce, Range Rover and a range of modified Holden V8s.

Mr Williams, also known by the colourful moniker ‘Candyman 2.0’, is the main face on a poster promoting the Meet Up cruise.

Gold Coast police stated that “as part of the Gold Coast District’s anti-hooning operation ‘Uniform Vinyl’, resources were deployed to monitor the areas and conduct enforcement action to ensure public safety”.

The Meet Up poster does state “Strictly no hooning”.

In total, police issued 62 infringement notices, with defective vehicles far and away the main offence (27 notices).

The next most common offences were exceeding the speed limit (eight notices), driving an unregistered vehicle (four notices), performing noncompliant modifications (four notices) and driving in a manner that creates wilful noise (three notices).

However, other offences included not having proper control of a vehicle (two notices), driving without due care or attention (two notices), parking in a disabled zone (one notice), exceeding the speed limit by over 40kmh (one notice) and failing to stop at a red light (one notice).

Residents took to northern Gold Coast Facebook pages at the time of the cruise asking why so many police were in their area.

“Standard police cash grab for a bunch of people wanting to chill and have a good night,” one man wrote.

Another said: “OMG that explains that massive polar air noisy thing flying around (the POLAIR police helicopter).”

Mr Williams said “car enthusiasts” were told “we do not condone any illegal street activity, especially hooning” at cruises.

“QPS was spoken to at the scene and general police duty members were shocked as to how much police resources were called out to monitor the event and show said.

“We told the members that QPS (Queensland Police Service) should have reached out to ensure some liaison between parties to avoid wasting police resources next time.

“My understanding is that most of the infringement notices were issued in relation to vehicles not complying with road standard.”

The number of infringement notices issued during the Meet Up is stark in comparison to a car meet held by club Flawless Society at Homeworld Helensvale on Saturday night, which also attracted the attention of police.

No notices were issued during that event, despite a single call from the public complaining of hooning. ‘presence’,” he