Darling Downs Police seize dozens of stolen firearms in raids across region

Semi-automatic rifles, pump action shotguns and handguns were among more than 40 firearms stolen from a farm, with police confident they have apprehended the group responsible.

The alleged theft of more than 40 firearms from a rural property near Goondiwindi prompted a wide-ranging police operation that has recovered most of the weapons, along with numerous other suspected stolen guns that had been at large for several years.

Darling Downs Detective Acting Inspector Jason Kitto said police have raided 12 properties across in the Warwick, Oakey, Toowoomba and Goondiwindi regions since the weapons were stolen from a Limevale farm on June 1.

“On Tuesday we searched an Oakey property where we located 23 of those firearms,” he said.

“As a result of the searches we have also located a number of other firearms, stolen from burglaries in the Darling Downs over the past couple of years.

“There has been a lot of good work from police in Stanthorpe, Goondiwindi, Warwick, Toowoomba and Brisbane, who have put a lot of resources in to recover the 37 firearms in the space of two weeks.”

Queensland Police Service Detective Acting Inspector Jason Kitto.

To date, police have arrested 12 people on 134 charges, with more searches and arrests expected in the coming days and weeks.

“We are not finished,” Inspector Kitto said.

Police allege that between 10pm and 2am on June 1, three people were travelling in a ute, reported stolen from a Goondiwindi property on the same day, when they attended properties in Oman Ama, Beebo and Limevale, stealing another ute, along with firearms, ammunition and farm equipment.

The 40-strong arsenal was allegedly stolen from the one property and it is understood they were all legally acquired over several years.

One of the vehicles was located burnt out in the Felton area, and the other vehicle was located at Brush Creek covered in fuel but not set alight.

The trio were arrested at Caboolture on June 7 after police raided an Oakey property and seized several of the weapons allegedly stolen from Limevale.

Oakey man Toby Charles Gillis had been charged with 12 offences including arson of a motor vehicle, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, burglary, receiving tainted property, possessing ammunition, and unlawful possession of Category A, B or M weapons following a police search of his home on June 7.

A 37-year-old Wilsonton woman has been charged with two counts of unlawful possession of weapons, and one count each of possessing tainted property and authority required to possess explosives.

Allora man Peter Lesley Kelk, 40, as been charged with 11 offences including three counts of break and enter, two counts of possession of weapons, and one count each of unlawful use of motor vehicle, trespass, arson (motor vehicle), receiving tainted property, possess tainted property, and authority required to possess explosives.

Glenvale man Jack Thompson, 18, has been charged with 11 offences including three counts of break and enter, two counts of possession of weapons, and one count each of unlawful use of motor vehicle, trespass, arson (motor vehicle), receiving tainted property, possess tainted property, and authority required to possess explosives.

None of the alleged offenders have been requried to enter pleas to their charges.

Originally published as Darling Downs Police seize dozens of stolen firearms in raids across region