A man will appear in court today after being charged with a range of traffic and firearm related offences following an investigation in the state's Hunter region.
Police will allege about 6.40pm on Saturday 28 December 2019, a stolen Holden Rodeo utility was involved in a fail to stop crash on the New England Highway, Hexham, where it collided with the rear of another vehicle, before the male driver fled the scene on foot.
Upon a search of the Rodeo, police located ammunition inside the cabin and a rifle hidden under the tray.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District's Target Action Group commenced an investigation into the incident.
Following inquiries, a man was arrested at a house on Goldingham Street, Tenambit, 7km east of Maitland, about 9.15am today (Wednesday 17 March 2020).
A Firearms Prohibition Order was executed and during the search, police seized a sawn-off shot gun which will undergo forensic examination.
The 33-year-old man was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with;
- Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner
- Drive whilst disqualified
- Two counts of negligent driving
- Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
- Unlawfully possess thing resembles number plate
- Use vehicle with unauthorised number plate
- Not give particulars to other driver
- Two counts of possess shortened firearm
- Two counts of not keep firearm safely
- Possess loaded firearm public place
- Acquire ammunition subject to prohibition
- Two counts of acquire prohibited firearm
He was refused bail to appear before Maitland Local Court today (Wednesday 17 March 2020).
