Queensland man charged over ‘childish’ stunts performed in clown car and broadcast to ‘thousands of subscribers’
A Queensland man has been charged after allegedly modifying a car and performing “childish” stunts, including a car versus men tug of war.
Sam Eyles, 29, from the Sunshine Coast is accused of further modifying an already heavily modified “clown car” and using it to perform “dangerous manoeuvres”.
Videos posted YouTube to his more than 200,000 subscribers allegedly show the former circus car being rolled down an embankment, performing burnouts and included “instructional videos on how to modify vehicles”.
Police have decried the risky “antics” and warned they will “take action” over similar videos.
“Putting not only your own life at risk but those of your mates for the sake of social media notoriety is childish and selfish behaviour,”
Sunshine Coast District Superintendent Craig Hawkins said.
“Sharing these antics with his large contingent of online followers has come at a significant financial cost, both in fines and the loss of vehicles.”
It’s not just the 29-year-old who has been targeted by police.
Officers tracked down several people who allegedly appeared in the social media videos and have issued 70 traffic infringement notices worth $27,800 to nine “participants”.
There was a total of 99 demerit points linked to the clips and police have warned there will be more.
Police said the small blue car’s fuel system involved a plastic jerrycan attached to a rubber hose.
The car was seized on September 30 when police searched a home at Image Flat, near Nambour.
The alleged ringleader has been charged with multiple offences including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, careless driving, driving with an unrestrained passenger and driving a defective vehicle.
He has been bailed to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on December 12.
