A TikTok star has been hit with a long list of fines and fees after driving around in a new ‘clown car’.
Sammy Ailes of Motoring Social Media Channel Built Not Bought, has garnered millions of views TikTokFacebook, Instagram and YouTube will find plenty of fun in their videos of four-wheel driving adventures and mechanical modifications.
But his latest stunt has landed him in trouble with Queensland police.
In a video posted on his social media account in May, Mr. Ailes was shown driving a clown car without license plates past a McDonald’s drive-thru.
After leaving the fast food chain, the police pulled him over as if he were interested in the car – warning him that he was not able to drive. on the waybut eventually allowing it to continue at home.
Another video of the car, titled ‘Silly Sid’, taken in May, shows it driving down a country road, where it goes out of control and rolls onto an embankment.
But on Monday, eight months after the video was filmed, he was charged with 11 charges, including dangerous operation of a vehicle, careless and impaired driving, among others.
Mr Ailes took to social media on Monday to explain what happened, detailing the September 30 raid on his Sunshine Coast home.
“We took it out on a closed road, it was actually posted – that’s the problem, it wasn’t a private road, we had to be on private property when we were doing it,” he admitted.
“I was sitting inside eating mac and cheese of all things and they just walked (in),” he said.
“They took my hard drives, computers, phones, cameras, everything.”
Mr Eiles said five of his vehicles were found to be defective by authorities and two were impounded.
He shared his thoughts on being released after a trip to McDonald’s in Silly Sid.
“Obviously, I was crazy – I shouldn’t have been driving on the road. “I was happy to get a penalty, but then they dug, dug, dug,” he said.
“All my cars are not on the road because they are all too dangerous.
“You have to be a little careful about what you do online – you’re always in the spotlight.”
Police charged Mr Ailes with several offences, accusing him of making several dangerous maneuvers in a “heavily modified vehicle”.
They claim to have purchased a “clown car” with a fuel system consisting of a plastic can attached to a rubber hose and made additional modifications.
“He then performed a number of ‘stunts’ in the car, including repeatedly bursting into flames, front wheel stands and at one point a tug-of-war between the car and a group of men holding tapes,” Queensland Police said in a statement.
“The car also overturned and crashed on the bank at Berwa.
“The footage of the drive-by was then shared on various social media channels.”
Police said an investigation has been launched Mr. Ailes’ online activitiesprompted to search his property.
“Police, with the assistance of the Department of Transport and Highways, conducted an inspection of the vehicles at this location, which were later found to be grossly defective and non-compliant,” Queensland Police said.
Police confirmed the clown car and another car was impounded.
Nine other people in Mr Ailes’ network were also issued with 70 Traffic Notices, for a total of 99 offences.
According to Mr Eiles, some of those punished have lost their licences.
Sunshine Coast District Superintendent Craig Hawkins said police would not turn a blind eye to serious offenses on the state’s roads by whipping Mr Ailes.
“It’s childish and selfish to risk not only your life, but your spouse’s life to become popular on social media,” she said.
“Sharing these oddities with his large contingent of online followers has resulted in significant financial costs in fines and loss of vehicles,” he said.
“Our message to anyone who is involved in foolish and high-risk activities or who thinks you might be driving modified, dangerous vehicles over the border is that we will continue to target, investigate and take action.”
The investigation has so far cost Mr Eiles and his spouse a total of $27,800 and “may result in further offences” following further investigation by Queensland Police.
Mr. Elyes was arrested at the residence and charged; two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle (category 1 offence), dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, two counts of careless driving, driver’s license impaired vehicle (major impairment dangerous), driver impaired (major impairment dangerous), two counts driver passenger unrestricted driving without and not wearing a passenger seat belt.
Under the state’s strict driving laws, strict hoons in Queensland face fines of up to $5338 and/or six months in jail and have their vehicles impounded or immobilized.
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