Loose cannons: Illegal firearms in the hands of criminals

Guns in the wrong hands

Police say gun theft continues to rise throughout central Victoria, after five firearms were stolen from a property in Muckleford at the weekend.

The warning follows similar concerns expressed by police in Bendigo earlier this year that firearms were being used in violent crime, after dozens of illegal weapons made their way into the hands of criminals.

Detective senior constable Steve Atkinson of the Central Goldfields crime investigation unit said the five firearms stolen at the weekend included shotguns and hunting rifles

Senior Constable Atkinson said the theft was part of a wider trend in the region and reminded licensed gun owners to ensure appropriate security measures were in place.

“What we do know as investigators is that gun burglaries are on the rise, not only through the Castlemaine area but right across our western division,” he said.

Police believe the guns were stolen from the Damien Court property some time between 3.30am and 8am on Sunday, along with a quantity of beer.

In a separate incident, cash was stolen from a business in Barkers Creek on Monday morning, by a person police believe was familiar with the premises.

Castlemaine police leading senior constable Gary Nichols said the the only damage to the building was to an internal door, which indicated the thief was able to enter the building without breaking in.

“They knew how to get into the premises and knew where certain items were to help their way around the place,” he said.

Police believe the theft occurred between 2.30am and 3.30am.

Meanwhile thieves also made off with a trailer which was being used as part of works to upgrade the railway bridge at Taradale overnight.

Leading Senior Constable Nichols said the trailer contained about $800 worth of tools and about $600 worth of diesel fuel at the time of the theft.

He said the value of the trailer was unknown as it was purpose-built for the job.

Anyone with any information about the burglary in Barkers Creek or the theft in Taradale is urged to contact the Castlemaine police station on 5470 4100 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information about the burglary in Muckleford should contact the Central Goldfields crime investigation unit at the Maryborough police station on 5460 3300 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.