South Kingsville man arrested and charged following traffic camera vehicle damage

Police have arrested and charged a 53-year-old South Kingsville man in relation to three separate incidents, including one in which he allegedly approached a mobile traffic camera vehicle, splashed white paint over part of the mobile traffic camera vehicle and threatened the operator with a tomahawk on Saturday, January 25. (Supplied)

Hobsons Bay Crime Investigation Unit detectives have arrested and charged a 53-year-old South Kingsville with a string of offences following his alleged involvement in three separate incidents involving damage inflicted to a mobile traffic camera vehicle and threats made to the operator.

Detectives executed a search warrant at a property on Blackshaws Road in South Kingsville on Thursday, February 9 and arrested the man a short time later at an address on Maidstone Street in Altona.

Police charged the man with criminal damage, abusing a road safety camera operator, threatening a road safety camera operator, threatening to inflict serious injury, possessing a dangerous article and other offences.

Police said the first incident took place on Sunday, December 4, 2022, when the man allegedly approached the mobile traffic camera on Blackshaws Road in South Kingsville and proceeded to splash white paint over the car.

The other two incidents occurred on Civic Parade between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Wednesday, January 25, with the police alleging that the man approached the parked vehicle on a bike, became verbally aggressive towards the operator, spat on the window and punched the driver’s side mirror.

Police have alleged the man returned an hour later, approached the vehicle, splashed white paint over the vehicle and threatened the operator with a tomahawk.

The man is scheduled to face the Melbourne Magistrates court today (Thursday, February 9).