Elderly driver sprayed with stones in Geraldton as police confirm surge in rock-throwing trend

A 78-year-old driver has spoken out after a group of youths sprayed rocks at his car, damaging it and putting his life at risk. The Geraldton resident, who did not want to be named for fear of repercussions, approached police on Wednesday afternoon shortly after he was the victim of a rock-throwing incident on Gertrude Street. He claims eight to nine youths sprayed his car with rocks, smashing his passenger rear-view mirror and cracking his windscreen about 3.15pm. “One, who looked about, 12, threatened me with one of these star pickets. He said ‘I’ll whack ya’, and I said ‘well go on then’ and they ran off,” he said. “When I was young, I was no angel, but throwing rocks at cars could kill someone.” Geraldton police acting officer in charge Sen. Sgt Paul Johnson confirmed rock-throwing had recently surged and police were investigating. “I can confirm that rock-throwing has become heightened in the last 48 hours and is likely to be the same cohort of kids based on the description,” he said. “I have allocated a team to this to fast-track the investigation.” Sen. Sgt Johnson said the 78-year-old reportedly left the car and shouted at the group before they threw a star picket at him, which “fortunately missed”. He said the same group stole confectionary from the Rigters IGA on Durlacher Street before a rock was launched at another vehicle, damaging it. “We have had further incidents (on Thursday) morning of rock-throwing in Rangeway,” he said. “We have a few suspects for this, however some are under the age of criminal responsibility.” Police ask anyone with information or dash cam footage related to rock throwing in recent days to contact the Geraldton police station or upload the footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.