Detectives from the Western Region Crime Squad have arrested eight people after uncovering a cache of stolen firearms and a treasure trove of stolen goods, including a steamroller, $50,000 of power tools, and jumping castle, in Melbourne's outer northwest yesterday.
Four of those arrested have been charged with possessing a traffickable quantity of firearms, which can result in up to 10 years in prison.
The other four arrested were charged with a range of offences including handling stolen goods and possessing the proceeds of crime.
Police will allege the firearms and property were stollen in a series of residential burglaries between August 2022 and January 2023.
Following a three-month investigation, detectives from the Western Region Crime Squad and officers from the K9 Unit executed a series of search warrants and Firearm Prohibition Orders at six residential addresses in Sunbury, Riddells Creek and Bullengarook yesterday.
During the searches, police seized five allegedly stolen firearms including:
• Three double barrel shotguns and one .22 rifle allegedly stolen from a Cherokee home in November 2022.
• A .22 calibre handgun allegedly stolen from a home in Sunbury in August 2022.
Police also seized a number of allegedly stolen vehicles:
• Nissan Patrol allegedly stolen from Sunbury in December 2022.
• Toyota Landcruiser allegedly stolen from North Melbourne in January 2023.
• Nissan tow truck allegedly stolen from Sunshine in January 2023.
• Steam Roller allegedly stolen from Rockbank in January 2023.
Detectives recovered power tools worth $50,000 which were allegedly stolen from multiple addresses. Police also seized party equipment including a jumping castle and generators allegedly stolen from a church in Westmeadows on New Year's Eve.
Those arrested by police included:
• A 33-year-old man from Sunbury who was charged with possess traffickable amount of firearms, contravene firearms prohibition order, burglary, theft, handles stolen goods, possess drug of dependence and commit indictable offence whilst on bail and was remanded overnight to appear at the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on 06 January 2023.
• A 27-year-old female from Sunbury who was charged with possess traffickable amount of firearms, prohibited person possess firearms, possess drug of dependence and commit indictable offence whilst on bail and was remanded overnight to appear at the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on 06 January 2023.
• A 32-year-old man from Sunbury who was charged with possess traffickable amount of firearms, possess ammunition, possess prohibited weapon and handles stolen goods, and was bailed to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on 16 June 2023.
• A 31-year-old woman from Sunbury who was charged with possess traffickable amount of firearms, possess ammunition, possess prohibited weapon and handles stolen goods, and was bailed to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on 16 June 2023.
• A 33-year-old man from Riddells Creek who was charged with handle stolen goods, possess proceeds of crime and possess ammunition, and was bailed to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on 16 June 2023.
• A 53-year-old man from Riddells Creek who was charged with handle stolen goods, possess proceeds of crime and possess ammunition, and was bailed to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on 16 June 2023.
• A 27-year-old man from Bullengarook will be summonsed to appear at court at a later date with charges pending for handle stolen goods and possess proceeds of crime.
• A 29-year-old man from Bullengarook will be summonsed to appear at court at a later date with charges pending for handle stolen goods and possess proceeds of crime.
Quotes attributable to Western Region Crime Squad Detective Senior Sergeant Matthew Kershaw:
"As we know, stolen firearms have traditionally been linked to a range of violent crimes that pose a significant risk to our community.
"Make no mistake, we will stop at nothing to track down and charge those that are involved in the possession and use of illicit firearms.
"The arrests made this week are significant and should send a strong message to anyone who thinks they can get away with harbouring an illicit or unregistered firearm.
"The repercussions are severe and life altering, with anyone found guilty of stealing firearms facing the prospect of up to 15 years in prison."
