NSW Police seize loaded military-style rifle from car at Silverwater

A loaded military-style rifle has been seized by police after two fumbling men allegedly left it behind when they fled on foot after their vehicle became wedged beside a garbage truck.

The loaded military-style AR15 rifle was allegedly found in a car during an attempted vehicle stop.

A loaded military-style rifle has been seized by police after two fumbling men allegedly left it behind when they fled on foot after their vehicle became wedged beside a garbage truck.

The AR15 rifle, which police believe is linked to organised crime conflicts across Sydney, was found on January 7 when officers attempted to stop an allegedly stolen car on the M4 at Silverwater.

While being pursued by police, the driver entered a carpark at Sydney Olympic Park where the vehicle became wedged between a garbage truck and a concrete pier.

The two male occupants of the car allegedly fled the scene on foot. However, during a search of their vehicle, police allegedly found a loaded rifle and a fired cartridge casing.

A 42-year-old man was arrested over the discovery of a loaded AR15 rifle found in a car at Homebush on January 7. Police allege the gun is linked to the organised crime conflict across Sydney. Picture: Supplied

Police allege the shot was fired at about 12.25am that day in Primrose Ave at Rydalmere, after residents heard gunshot sounds and called Triple-0.

The NSW Police State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad began an investigation under Strike Force Lancer, with assistance from local police, to track down the two men allegedly in the car.

Two men have been charged over the discovery of the gun and a used cartridge, and are before the courts. Picture: Supplied

Ammunition seized by police. Picture: Supplied

A few days later on January 12, a 20-year-old man was arrested at Kogarah Police Station and charged with possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, possess loaded firearm in a public place, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

He was also charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug and refused bail.

Last Thursday, with the assistance of officers from the Raptor Squad, police executed a search warrant in Concord where they allegedly located electronics relevant to the investigation.

Officers from the NSW Police Raptor Squad arrested a 42-year-old man at a unit in Concord last Thursday. Picture: Supplied

A 42-year-old man was charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm and possessing a loaded firearm in a public place. He was refused bail. Picture: Supplied

A 42-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Burwood Police Station, where he was charged with possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, possess loaded firearm public place and possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority.

He was also charged with take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, acquire prohibited firearm-subject prohibition order and drive motor vehicle during disqualification period.

The man was refused bail and will appear at court next month.

Police will allege in court the shots fired in Rydalmere were linked to organised crime conflict.

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Originally published as NSW Police seize loaded military-style rifle from car at Silverwater