New Norfolk men on firearms charges

TWO men have been charged with aggravated burglary, stealing and various firearms offences following the alleged burglary of a Derwent Valley residence earlier this week. This is the fourth reported firearms incident locally since November.

PREVIOUSLY:
GEORGE ST ROBBER FLED WITH FIREARMS
SIX CHARGED OVER LOCAL BURGLARIES
FIREARMS INCIDENTS AT NEW NORFOLK

Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby of Glenorchy CIB said three registered and correctly stored firearms were among the items stolen in the alleged burglary on Tuesday. "A 33-year-old man and a 35-year-old man, both from New Norfolk, were arrested after police searched a house in New Norfolk in the early hours of Wednesday, February 19, and located one of the firearms, and other stolen property," Inspector Morrisby said.

“While we have charged two people in relation to this matter, we are still focused on recovering the two outstanding firearms and will continue to make inquiries until they are located,” he said. “The firearms that were stolen had been stored correctly by the owner, who had also installed additional security measures, including CCTV. This allowed attending officers to quickly advance the investigation and make arrests at an early stage.”

Inspector Morrisby said he would encourage anyone who is legally storing firearms on their property to consider all reasonable measures above and beyond what is required by law. “Ultimately the greater the level of protection that is in place, the greater the deterrent. In the first instance, one of the most effective and simple things that people can do is to avoid discussing the fact firearms are stored on their property.”

Police ask anyone with information about the incident, or the location of the outstanding firearms, to contact them on 131 444. Information can also be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au