PLEASE NOTE: NSWPF-branded images of items seized are available via Hightail: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/TJVZVS7sfZ
A man has faced court, charged after an alleged police pursuit and firearms seizure in the state’s North West Slopes region.
About 2am on Friday 23 October 2026, officers attached to New England Police District were patrolling on Old Bundarra Road, Inverell, when they attempted to stop a Holden sedan allegedly displaying incorrect registration plates.
When the driver – a 24-year-old man – allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit continued to Gilgai, before later being terminated for safety reasons.
Shortly after, police located the vehicle in Gilgai, where the driver allegedly drove through a fence before driving off; the vehicle was unable to be located.
Following inquiries, about 11am on Thursday 5 November 2026, police arrested a 24-year-old man at Warialda Police Station.
Following further inquiries, about 1pm the same day, officers attached to New England Police District executed a Firearms Prohibition Order and Weapons Prohibition Order compliance search at a home on Bingara Road, Warialda Rail.
During the search of the property, police allegedly located and seized a modified bolt-action pistol, a dismantled shortened firearm and ammunition.
Later the same day, police charged a 24-year-old man at Warialda Police Station with 14 offences,
- Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority
- Possess unregistered firearm-pistol
- Possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority
- Not keep firearm safely-pistol
- Not keep firearm safely-not pistol/prohibited firearm
- Acquire etc pistol-subject to firearms prohibition order
- Acquire etc firearm – subject to prohibition order
- Acquire etc ammunition subject to prohibition order
- Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously
- Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous
- Use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road
- Use uninsured motor vehicle on road
- Licence expired within the last 2 years, and
- Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (motor vehicle).
He was refused bail and appeared before Bail Division Court 5 on Friday 6 November 2026, where he was formally refused bail to reappear before Moree Local Court on Monday 16 November 2026.
