Operation Moorhead: Teenager charged after allegedly caught throwing water balloons at passing cars

A teenager has been charged after he was allegedly caught throwing water balloons at passing cars in Perth’s north.

Police allege the 14-year-old boy threw the balloons at passing traffic on five separate occasions.

He is also accused of riding a non-compliant e-rideable, which was seized and is set to be destroyed.

The teenager was charged with several driving offences and five counts of causing fear or alarm to the driver of a conveyance — an offence which carries a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment and a $36,000 fine.

Photographs provided by WA Police show dozens of small water balloons concealed inside a bag.

“The images clearly demonstrate the intent of the youth involved and the risks posed to motorists,” a police spokesperson said.

“Each water balloon has the potential to startle a driver, causing a sudden reaction that could lead to a crash, serious injury or worse.”

It comes just days after police revealed they had seized 36 e-rideables and charged 25 children under Operation Moorhead.

The operation was launched earlier this month following several “serious and violent incidents” involving youths filming themselves throwing rocks at passing cars and recklessly riding e-scooters and e-bikes.

As part of the operation, drones, helicopters and CCTV towers have also be deployed to known areas, including coastal strips, fast food outlets and car parks.

Acting Inspector Scott Gillis said it was “disturbing” to see unruly behaviour play out across social media.

“Not only are they reckless riding, but damaging cars, riding recklessly in the vicinity of pedestrians and directing aggressive behaviour towards members of the public,” he said on Wednesday.

“Any object being thrown at a car is incredibly dangerous.

“We don’t know how people are going to react if they do see this, they could swerve and have a serious crash, plus it can also damage or severely injure the motorist.”

He said all illegal e-rideables — believed to have been bought online — had been crushed by police.

“If you have your e-rideable out in the community, we are going to find you and we are going to seize it, and it will be crushed,” he said.