Arrests begin after boy racer gathering
An arrest has been made after a boy racer event caused havoc on Christchurch streets over the weekend.
Police warn that more arrests are likely after The Aves Invasion on Friday and Saturday nights brought hundreds of boy racers to the city. Police issued 177 infringement notices.
Canterbury metro commander Superintendent Lane Todd said one local man was arrested on Sunday, and his car had been impounded.
He is facing several charges, including sustained loss of traction, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and escaping custody.
Todd said more charges were likely for other people.
‘‘The inquiries are definitely continuing, and we expect to have other charges to follow with other drivers.’’
Boy racers were out for another night on Sunday, despite threats of arrest after the weekend chaos.
‘‘Since heaps of yas want another night [not Invasion] lapup from 9.30 [sic],’’ a post on the Chch Dwnunda Facebook page said.
Todd said yesterday it was ‘‘unfortunate that mentality is still there’’.
‘‘We will still be actively trying to communicate with the organisers but we’ve got a fairly clear message to them,’’ he said. ‘‘The behaviour over the weekend will definitely not be tolerated, and we will be taking strong enforcement action.’’
Sunday night was a lot quieter, though; three complaints were made to police, compared with more than 60 overnight Friday and Saturday. No extra staff were needed.
‘‘Probably [Sunday] night was no more than what you’d normally expect over a weekend,’’ Todd said.
‘‘We will be gathering as much evidence as possible and, if there’s sufficient evidence, we certainly will be charging people.’’
Sergeant Mike Jackson said 67 complaints about boy racers and 120 general traffic complaints were made to police in Christchurch between 6pm on Friday and 6am on Monday.
‘‘We will be taking strong enforcement action.’’
Superintendent Lane Todd