Ten alleged offenders arrested after spate of firearm thefts in regional Victoria

Ten offenders have been arrested and 16 firearms recovered after a spate of alleged firearm thefts in western Victoria earlier this year.

Ten alleged offenders have been arrested after a string of allegedly linked firearm thefts near Ballarat, Daylesford and Horsham earlier this year.

An investigation commenced after 25 firearms were allegedly stolen from the following properties:

• Four firearms stolen from an Enfield property on November 14 2022.

• Four firearms stolen from a Newlyn property on November 10 2022.

• Ten firearms stolen from a Horsham property on August 13 2022.

• Seven firearms stolen from a Blampied property on July 29 2022.

As part of the investigation into the alleged thefts, police have found 16 stolen firearms following 11 search warrants in Creswick, Ballarat, Ballarat North, Horsham, Sebastopol, and Ararat, as well as five Firearm Prohibition Order compliance checks.

Investigations remain ongoing to find the others.

Western Region Crime Squad Detective Senior Sergeant, Matthew Kershaw said there was “no doubt” the communities were safer now 16 guns are off the streets.

“Illicit firearms are a key component of some of Victoria’s most serious and violent crimes, including homicides, shootings, armed robberies and drug offences,” she said.

“Theft of a firearm carries a maximum 15-year jail term – this is an extremely serious offence and for this reason, we will not stop until we identify and arrest those seeking to inflict harm on the community.”

Police will allege two offenders attended a Beaufort address on August 13 where they attempted to steal firearms.

During the alleged attempted theft, the two men allegedly shot at a 31-year-old victim who had confronted them, before fleeing the scene in a stolen Toyota Landcruiser.

On September 27 a 27-year-old Creswick man was arrested by the Special Operations Group on Queen St in Ararat.

A second arrest was made on November 25 in Sebastopol where a 24-year-old from Clifton Springs was arrested on Albert St.

The men were charged with reckless conduct endangering life, theft of firearms, attempted theft of firearms, prohibited person possessing a firearm, possess a trafficable quantity of firearms, possess ammunition, aggravated burglary, theft of motor vehicle, criminal damage by fire, burglary, and handle stolen goods.

Both have been remanded to appear before the Ballarat Magistrates Court at a later date.

A further six adults arrested as part of this investigation have been charged with possess trafficable quantity of firearm, prohibited person possess firearm, possess ammunition, aggravated burglary, burglary, theft of firearms, theft of motor vehicle, theft and handle stolen goods including a:

• 39-year-old Sebastopol man

• 36-year-old Creswick man

• 34-year-old Creswick man

• 33-year-old Horsham man

• 28-year-old Horsham man

• 18-year-old Delacombe female

They have all been remanded to appear before the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court at later dates.

A 16-year-old boy and 17-year-old boy were also arrested as part of the investigation and charged with prohibited person possess firearm, possess trafficable quantity of firearm, possess ammunition, theft of firearms, burglary and handle stolen goods.

The 16-year-old has been remanded, and the 17-year-old has been bailed to appear before a children’s court at a later date.