A man was arrested in Torquay yesterday and six firearms have been seized as part of an investigation into a non-fatal shooting in Whittington in March.
A warrant was executed yesterday morning (9 May) at a residential property in Torquay by detectives from the Armed Crime Squad, Illicit Firearms Squad and Torquay Crime Investigation Unit.
A 27-year-old Torquay man was arrested and interviewed by police.
During a search of the Fischer Street address, police located five 3D-printed firearms, a handgun, an imitation firearm, silencer, ammunition and drugs including methylamphetamine, cannabis and 1,4-butanediol.
The man was subsequently charged with possess general category handgun and dispose of general category handgun in relation to the shooting in Whittington on 22 March, 2023.
He was also charged with the following in relation to today’s warrant:
• Possess general category handgun (x6);
• Possess Firearm no serial number (x5);
• Possess items/parts for manufacture firearms;
• Possession of a trafficable quantity of unregistered firearms;
• Unlicensed person fail to store firearms in a secure manner;
• Fail to store cartridge ammunition for Category A or B longarm in manner provided;
• Possess a silencer or prescribed item without a permit;
• Possess imitation firearm;
• Possess methylmphetamine;
• Possess 1,4-butenediol; and
• Possess Cannabis.
The man will appear at Geelong Magistrates’ Court today.
Yesterday’s arrest follows an incident on 22 March where a man was allegedly shot at a property on Freesia Court in Whittington.
A 55-year-old Whittington man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
On 31 March, Armed Crime Squad detectives arrested a 29-year-old Grovedale man in relation to the shooting.
He was subsequently charged with 21 offences including:
• Aggravated burglary with firearm (to assault);
• Aggravated burglary with firearm (to steal);
• Attempted armed robbery;
• Make threats to kill;
• Intentionally causing serious injury;
• Recklessly causing serious injury;
• Intentionally causing injury;
• Recklessly causing injury;
• Reckless conduct endanger life;
• Prohibited person using a firearm;
• Carry loaded firearm in a populous place;
• Theft of motor vehicle;
• Criminal damage;
• Traffick methylamphetamine;
• Possess methylamphetamine;
• Prohibited person possessing a firearm;
• Possessing loaded firearm in public place;
• Possessing ammunition without licence;
• Possessing prohibited weapon; and
He was remanded in custody and will next appear at Geelong Magistrates’ Court on 4 July, 2023.
