By Nino Bucci
The armed robbers who made off with more than 60 handguns from a firearms shop may have been stealing to order for organised crime syndicates, police believe.
Police are investigating whether Monday's heist in Thornbury is linked to a similar robbery a year ago.
More than 60 guns were stolen from this Thornbury store on Monday.Credit: Larissa Ham
In both cases, a syndicate may have approached a specialist crew for the heist, before onselling the guns themselves, a source said.
The Armed Crime squad will also investigate if the heists can be traced to warring factions in Melbourne's north-west, the state's worst region for gun violence, after a car used in the Thornbury robbery was found to have been stolen from Glenroy late last year.
A selection of the handguns on sale at O'Reillys Firearms in Thornbury.Credit: O'Reillys Firearms
It is believed a significant number of the weapons stolen from O'Reilly's Firearms were not on display, but were demanded by the robbers, possibly indicating a detailed knowledge of the store.
While details of the type of guns have not been released, it is understood they are among the most lethal handguns legally available, and that some were not for sale, but were ordered on consignment or being stored at the business.
It is estimated 64 guns were taken, but the exact figure has not been confirmed.
Firearms industry figures described O'Reilly's as one of Victoria's best-stocked stores for handguns.
Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana said the stolen handguns would definitely make their way onto the black market.Credit: Michael Clayton-Jones
It is also one of only a handful of stores that have handguns on display, with others either storing them out of sight or not stocking handguns because of fears of such robberies.
Hunting Camping and Fishing in South Morang, which was targeted last January, had also kept handguns on display. Four handguns and a long-arm were stolen in that robbery.
Staff at the store were not available for comment, but they posted on Facebook in February that they had improved security by installing electronically operated doors that only allowed one customer to enter at a time.
There were similarities between the two robberies, including the weapons used by the four men, and the time of year they were committed.
Another gun store was also threatened only hours before the Thornbury robbery, in what the manager described as a "half-hearted" ram-raid.
A flat-tray tow truck reversed into the fencing around a car park outside Gun Emporium on Assembly Drive, Tullamarine, about 3am on Monday.
While police say that damage to the fence could have been accidental, rather than a targeted attack, the manager of the store believes otherwise.
Manager Bruce Wellington said CCTV footage suggested the truck had deliberately driven into the gates.
However, the truck left the store car park after destroying the gates, rather than ramming the steel garage door to gain access to the business.
Mr Wellington questioned calls to further improve security at gun stores after Premier Daniel Andrews said the state government would listen to any suggestions from Victoria Police about how to make them harder targets.
"It's hard to know what more could be done," he said.
While the guns stolen from Thornbury retailed for between $700 and $1900 each, they could fetch more than $10,000 a piece on the black market.
Weapons that are "clean" – sold with guarantees they have not been used in previous crimes – are even more valuable, underworld sources said.
Assistant Police Commissioner Steve Fontana said it was inevitable the guns would end up on the black market.
"They knew what they were looking for, so this wasn't just an opportunist type of offence," he told Radio 3AW.
Police Minister Lisa Neville questioned whether it was necessary to have real guns on display in stores, rather than replica guns.
The weapons stolen can be bought legally in Victoria by those who hold general category handgun licenses, such as security guards and target shooters.
Ms Neville said Monday's robbery was highly unusual, albeit serious. Most gun thefts occur at rural properties.
The robbery comes amid a broader battle over new laws that would give police unprecedented muscle to deal with gun crime.
If passed through the upper house, the Firearms Amendment Bill would give police the authority to issue firearm prohibition orders, which would ban someone from owning or using a firearm for up to 10 years, even if they haven't had a conviction.
The Chief Commissioner and more than 20 designated officers would have the power to put an order on a person if they are considered a danger to the community. Police would also have the authority to search the premises or vehicles of anyone subject to an order – as well as anyone in the company of someone with an order – without a warrant.
Police regard it as a game changer, but it has raised the ire of firearms' owner advocates.
The Coalition moved amendments seeking to change the duration of the orders from 10 years to five, and for the orders to only be issued by assistant commissioners.
While the state government issued a searing media release accusing Opposition Leader Matthew Guy of doing the bidding of mobsters, privately they conceded the Coalition had merely been pragmatic; moving the amendments helps keep Shooters and Fishers Party MPs Daniel Young and Jeff Bourman onside in the upper house.