Townsville police recover officer’s firearm and ammo stolen from undercover car

Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski reassured the public that a thorough review is underway after a police-issued firearm and ammunition, stolen from an unmarked car in a Townsville CBD apartment complex, were finally recovered this week.

Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski reassured the public that a thorough review is underway after a police-issued firearm and ammunition, stolen from an unmarked car in a Townsville CBD apartment complex, were finally recovered this week.

Queensland Police have released a statement confirming that their investigation into the theft had resulted in the firearm and ammunition being recovered on Thursday, November 28.

“This matter remains the subject of an internal investigation by the QPS Ethical Standards Command,” the statement read.

“Four men were charged earlier this week in relation to the theft of the firearm.”

A police spokesman was unable to say where the gun and ammunition were located.

Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said it was a huge relief the weapon and ammunition had been found.

“Not only have we got the firearm and ammunition back, all of the offenders in relation to that offence are in custody and will be dealt with,” Mr Gollschewski said.

“We are looking very closely at what happened there to work out … (if) there is anything we need to change in how we do these things and how we secure them and, secondly, has everything been done properly, and we will follow that through.”

Qld Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski.

Its understood more information is expected to be revealed on Friday.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Four men face Townsville court over stolen cars, police firearm charges

Four men, aged 18 to 40, fronted court on Tuesday over their alleged roles in a dramatic crime spree involving stolen cars and the theft of a police-issued firearm.

Police allege that around 3.10am on Sunday, the group arrived at a secure apartment complex on Wills Street, Townsville City in a silver Holden Commodore with false number plates.

The men allegedly gained access to the parking area, breaking into five vehicles, including an unmarked police car, and stealing a service firearm and ammunition.

The suspects then allegedly fled the scene in the black BMW stolen from the car park, as well as the Holden Commodore they arrived in.

Police located the stolen black BMW the following day but the stolen police firearm and ammunition was not inside and remains missing.

Investigators executed search warrants across Townsville suburbs, resulting in the arrest of the four men on Monday.

Two suspects were dramatically arrested at Riverway Park, while the other two were taken into custody during police raids in Rasmussen.

Chief Superintendent Graeme Paine confirmed that, along with the arrests, police recovered two firearms in Rasmussen — a .22 caliber concealable pistol and a lever-action rifle — but the stolen police firearm was not among them.

“From our point of view, it’s very disappointing that we still haven’t yet located the stolen police firearm and the ammunition,” he said.

The officer whose firearm was stolen has been reassigned to non-operational duties while the Queensland Police Service’s Ethical Standards Command investigates the matter.

“I can confirm that the officer involved has been assigned to non operational duties while the assessment and the investigation is underway,” Paine said.

“I can’t pre-empt the outcome to the investigation, other than to say that the ethical standards command, they’ll independently investigate it.”

Two men being taken into custody after officers from the Special Emergency Response Team swooped on them at Riverway Park on Monday. Picture: Facebook

Adam James Kubea, 40, from Burdell has been charged with six counts of entering premises to commit an offence, among other charges, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle and possession of dangerous drugs.

Reagan Samuel Sailor, 24, from Burdell, faces nine counts of entering premises, unlawful possession of a firearm, five counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and more.

Jack Noel Spark, 25, from Mount Louisa has been charged with five counts of entering premises, unlawful use of a vehicle, and possession of the stolen firearm.

Jye Peter Walker, 18, from Vincent, who is also alleged to have been involved in an armed robbery in Douglas overnight on November 24, has been charged with seven counts of entering premises, unlawful possession of the firearm, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

All four men had their matters mentioned in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Matters for Spark and Kubea were adjourned to January 15, while Sailor’s case is set for a second mention on Wednesday, November 27.

Walker also had his matter mentioned, but no bail application was made on his behalf.

Investigations are continuing to locate the service firearm and ammunition, anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Originally published as Townsville police recover officer’s firearm and ammo stolen from undercover car