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Thousands of dollars in unpaid fines has been recovered in a two-day Sheriff’s Office operation in Castlemaine.
Thirty fine evaders were identified with automatic number plate recognition technology with a combined 153 outstanding warrants valued at more than $64,000.
The joint Sheriff’s and Victoria Police road-block operation on the Pyrenees Highway ran from Tuesday, March 21, to Wednesday, March 22.
Sheriff of Victoria Brendan Facey said the operation was aimed at locating fine evaders and encouraging them to take steps to clear their outstanding debts.
“If you ignore your fines, you will be caught,” he said.
“Technology is making it easier to locate fine evaders and, if necessary, take action to have the fines paid.”
Payment was received from ten people on the day to finalise 14 warrants worth more than $3000.
Two drivers had their wheels clamped and were required to arrange payment to have the clamps removed.
A further eight drivers with 52 warrants worth more than $19,000 were notified that their driver’s licence or vehicle registration would be suspended if they did not arrange to pay within seven days.
“People with outstanding infringements run the risk of tough sanctions, including wheel-clamping, asset confiscation, licence suspension and even arrest,” Mr Facey said.
“The best option is for people to speak with us about their options before they are caught.”
People can check whether they have outstanding fines by contacting Civic Compliance Victoria on 1300 221 249 or they can pay outstanding fines at www.fines.vic.gov.au