A man will face court today charged with firearm offences in the state's south.
About 10.20am yesterday (Thursday 12 March 2020) officers from Murray River Police District were patrolling the North Albury and Lavington areas when they allegedly observed a man fuelling a green Ford Falcon that was bearing incorrect Victorian registration plates.
Police approached the service station to speak with the man, who allegedly fled on foot through the back door of the service station.
The handle of a shotgun was observed on the front passenger's seat.
During a search of the vehicle, police allegedly located a loaded sawn-off shotgun, ammunition, liquid believed to be GHB and drug paraphernalia. These items were seized and will undergo forensic analysis.
Additional police were called, and a short time later the driver of the vehicle was found hiding in a nearby wool broker's shed.
He allegedly attempted to flee, before being arrested on Wagga Road, Lavington.
The 28-year-old man was taken to Albury Police Station, where he was charged with:
- possess loaded firearm in public place,
- possess shortened firearm without authority,
- possess defaced firearm,
- acquire firearm subject to prohibition order,
- possess ammunition without holding licence,
- drive motor vehicle during disqualification period,
- use unregistered Class A motor vehicle,
- use registrable vehicle not display authorised number plates, and
- custody of knife in public place.
He was refused bail and is due to face Albury Local Court today (Friday 13 March 2020).
