Children suspected to be as young as 12 have been risking their lives to prank and terrorise drivers in Heathcote Junction.
Over several nights in November, a group of youths have been loitering around the Heathcote Junction Railway Station, throwing water and Coca-Cola filled water balloons at cars and jumping out in front of unsuspecting drivers.
Dressed in plain clothes and on occasion, face coverings, the incidents typically occurred outside of school hours, between 4pm and as late as 4am.
Residents affected by the unruly group took to Facebook to warn others of the incidents, concerned that what the children likely thought of as harmless pranks could result in disastrous consequences.
“They threw a water balloon, which I initially thought was a rock, necessitating a swerve,” one of the first victims of the incidents shared online on November 2.
“They need to find something better to do, that’s very dangerous,” a local commented underneath.
“Let’s hope they don’t meet the wrong person. Too many sickos out there. Where [are] the parents?” another enquired.
Other users had less-than-kind words to say about the group, with some suspecting that the children were also the same culprits who had recently placed planks of wood and broken street signs in the middle of surrounding roads.
“Everyone suspects to know where the kids are from, but can’t prove it fully,” an anonymous local shared with the Review.
“Also fully get we all did dumb stuff as kids, and this isn’t out of ordinary for kids, but for it to be a weekly event for them, it’s gone past kids having fun to [something that] could actually cause harm or escalate to eggs or rocks, even [targeting] trains.”
Resident Daniel Cleary, one of the group’s most recent victims on November 15, stated the children quickly fled when he turned his car around after being hit with a water balloon.
“[I] did a U-turn and they took off,” he said.
“[It’s] kids being kids without understanding the potential consequences to poor decisions.
“Fingers crossed they don’t hurt someone or get on the wrong side of the wrong person.”
The group are also believed to have targeted drivers on the Wandong Hume Freeway on-ramp, and those driving under the Wandong Hume Freeway overpass.
Acting Senior Sergeant Stephen Solyom of Kilmore, Broadford, and Seymour Police Stations warned that those behind the incidents could face criminal charges.
“Police have been made aware of this issue,” he said.
“Police believe this behaviour is potentially very dangerous for unsuspecting motorists. We have increased patrols in the area and those responsible could potentially face criminal charges.”
Anyone with information is urged to call Kilmore Police on 5782 1211, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or if immediate risk to the public exists, Triple Zero (000).
