Top cop's ruthless message to 'Karens' who believe they don't need to provide their name and licence to police - after Eve Black became the face of the bizarre 'sovereign citizen' movement
- Victorian Police Commissioner Shane Patton had harsh words for rule breakers
- He said some think they're above the law and call themselves 'sovereign citizens'
- Mr Patton slammed some Victorians for 'baiting police' and not giving their name
- Victoria recorded 439 new COVID-19 cases and 11 more deaths on Tuesday
An increasing number of Australians are refusing to provide their information to cops carrying out coronavirus spot checks, according to Victorian Police Commissioner Shane Patton.
Mr Patton slammed Victorians who think they are above the law and refer to themselves as 'sovereign citizens'.
'In the last week, we've seen a trend, an emergence of groups of people … small groups - but nonetheless concerning groups - who classify themselves as sovereign citizens, whatever that might mean. People who don't think the law applies to them,' he said on Tuesday.
'We've seen them at checkpoints baiting police, not providing a name and address.
An increasing number of Australians are refusing to provide their information to cops carrying out coronavirus spot checks, according to Victorian Police Commissioner Shane Patton
His choice words come nearly a week after coronavirus conspiracy theorist Eve Black was dramatically arrested while again refusing to give police her details at a checkpoint
'On at least four occasions in the last week, we've had to smash the windows of cars and pull people out to provide details because they weren't adhering to the Chief Health Officer guidelines, they weren't providing their name and address.'
His choice words come nearly a week after coronavirus conspiracy theorist Eve Black was dramatically arrested while refusing to give police her details at a checkpoint.
Black gloated in a Facebook video about making it through a Melbourne COVID-19 roadblock without telling officers where she was going.
Black filmed and uploaded to Facebook her first, successful, attempt at gaming the system on July 23.
When the officer asked her where she was headed and why she was attempting to leave, Black simply told him she didn't need to share that information.
The officer eventually waved her through as she sped off laughing and celebrating.
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After that video went viral, the 28-year-old allegedly tried the same trick again in the inner-city suburb of Carlton last week but was far less successful.
'She was asked to provide her name and address which she refused to do. Police then directed her to produce her driver's licence and explain her reason for travel, which she also refused to comply with,' Victoria Police said.
'This led to police arresting her. During the arrest, police were forced to break the woman's car window as she refused to speak to them, wind down her window, or step out of the vehicle.'
Victoria recorded 439 new COVID-19 cases and 11 more deaths on Tuesday. Their deaths bring the state's toll to 147 and the national toll to 232.
From today, infected Victorians caught breaching isolation for a second time will be slapped with a $4957 on-the-spot fine - the highest police can issue.
In instances of repeat breaches, the person could be taken to court where the maximum penalty is $20,000.
From today, infected Victorians caught breaching isolation for a second time will be slapped with a $4957 on-the-spot fine. Pictured: Police and Australian Defence Force are seen in the Fitzroy Gardens
Victoria recorded 439 new COVID-19 cases and 11 more deaths on Tuesday. People are seen outside a cafe on August 4 in Melbourne
'We don't want it to come to that. We want people to be where they are supposed to be. Because that is how we will all get past this,' Premier Daniel Andrews said.
Those who are supposed to be self-isolating are also no longer allowed to exercise outside their homes, bringing Victoria in line with other states.
Australian Defence Force personnel and health officials conducted 3000 doorknocks of people who were supposed to be self-isolating and found more than 800 people were not home.
An additional 500 ADF personnel, 300 health staff and 250 police officers will be brought in for 'random and repeated doorknocks' at the home of every positive case.
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