Police have charged a man after he was allegedly found to be in possession of a firearm in Lake Macquarie yesterday.
Shortly before 12pm (Thursday 1 October 2020), officers attached to Northern Region Operation Utah observed a grey Volkswagen Golf allegedly accelerating away from police on Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle.
A short time later, police from the Hunter Regional Enforcement Squad and Northern High-Visibility Policing Unit located the car at a carpark of a licensed premises on the Pacific Highway, Gateshead, with a female passenger inside.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers allegedly located a sawn-off firearm that was wrapped in clothing and a plastic bag containing ammunition.
The items were seized for forensic examination.
Following further inquiries, two men – aged 24 and 32 – were arrested inside the venue and taken to Belmont Police Station
The 24-year-old was charged with seven offences including:
- Possess unauthorised prohibited firearm;
- Possess unregistered firearm-prohibited firearm;
- Possess loaded firearm public place;
- Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority;
- Possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority;
- Not keep firearm safe; and
- Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period.
The 32-year-old was charged with a breach of bail offence.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Belmont Local Court today (Friday 2 October 2020).
Investigations are ongoing, anyone who may have witnessed a grey Volkswagen Golf between 11am and 12.30pm in the Newcastle area or who may have dashcam footage from the nearby area during these times is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
