Rosebud Police have seized a number of firearms stolen from a Bendigo property earlier this year, following a raid on a Safety Beach property yesterday morning.
Earlier this year, police received reports that four firearms were stolen from a residential address in Sailors Gully, a suburb in Bendigo. Police will allege the firearms were stolen between 4 - 7 March after the property was broken into and keys to the firearm storage unit were located.
Following a thorough search of the Safety Beach property yesterday morning, police located a hidden 4-wheel drive tray where the four firearms were recovered.
Rosebud police also seized an imitation firearm, small quantities of what is alleged to be methylamphetamine, GHB and cannabis, and a stolen spa heating system.
A 60-year-old Safety Beach man has been charged with possessing a traffickable quantity of firearms, handling stolen goods and drug offences. He has been bailed to appear before the Frankston Magistrates Court on 29 August 2022.
Anyone with further information regarding the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A permanent National Firearms Amnesty is giving those in possession of illicit firearms the opportunity to surrender them to their nearest firearms dealer with no penalty.
Quotes attributed to Mornington Peninsula Local Area Commander, Inspector Terrance Rowlands:
"We have dedicated teams of detectives from across the state working together to track down illicit or stolen firearms, with these four firearms that were allegedly stolen on the other side of the state now sitting in a police evidence room."
"We make no apologies for targeting anyone harbouring an illicit or unregistered firearm as they pose a significant risk to the community."
"The penalties for unlawfully possessing a firearm are significant, with up to two years in prison, while possessing two or more firearms constitutes a traffickable quantity, a charge that could land an offender behind bars for up to 10 years."
"In the wrong hands, firearms are a key enabler for some of the worst and most violent crimes in our community such as homicides, shootings, and armed robberies It is for this reason, targeting those with illicit or stolen firearms will remain a serious priority for Victoria Police."
Lilly Skacej
Senior Communications Advisor
