Police investigating dangerous burnout at gender reveal party in Theodore

Screen grabs of the video shared on Facebook.

With the smell of burning rubber and clouds of blue smoke, a Canberra family’s baby gender reveal party went to dangerous levels according to police, after a car performed a burnout in a quiet suburban street.

Around 3:30 pm last Sunday (7 October), Freda Gibson Circuit in Theodore was disturbed after a gender reveal party took to a burnout to reveal whether the expectant mother was having a boy or girl.

As a result, the driver could be facing serious consequences after a video of a green ute performing the burnout was posted online. Acting Officer in Charge of Traffic Operations Marcus Boorman said the burnout was dangerous and was relieved that nobody was hurt from the incident.

“I understand that the birth of a child is cause for celebration but there is celebrating and there is celebrating,” Station Sergeant Boorman said.

“The conduct that these people are engaging in is dangerous, it is unsafe and the consequences could be quite significant. Had that person lost control of the car, there was a number of young people and children around.

“At one point you can be celebrating and next moment you could be burying someone. People who engage in this type of conduct get caught up in the moment and don’t think of the consequences and the safety risk.”

In the video shared on Facebook, a green ute performs a burnout in a driveway of a home, with family and friends standing close by. In the aftermath of the minute-long burnout, the video shows clouds of blue smoke and burnt rubber on the driveway, amidst cheers from family and friends.

Rubber starts to burn as the clouds turn black while a young boy sits on the fence nearby.

Station Sergeant Boorman said the driver can expect to hear from police about the incident.

“Any sort of burnout on a roadway is dangerous and is unsafe,” he said. “The bottom line is that this behaviour is not condoned and when it comes to police attention, we will investigate and appropriate action will be taken.”

A similar incident took place in the same suburb in May, with the matter now currently before the court and a person facing a number of charges. A police investigation into Sunday’s incident is underway and Mr Boorman expects charges to be laid.

“Anyone who witnesses this sort of behaviour should bring it to the attention of police and it will be fully investigated.”

The burning rubber on the driveway.