Kye Amos, David Chatfield arrested in Bellingen crash: Rifle, cash, hatchet allegedly seized
A routine crash investigation turned into a firearms bust when police found a semiautomatic rifle in an abandoned vehicle in a quiet coastal village.
Two men have been refused bail after allegedly fleeing a crash scene in Bellingen where police say they discovered a semiautomatic rifle in their abandoned vehicle.
Kye Leslie Amos and David Chatfield, both aged 39, allegedly crashed into and snapped a telephone pole on Oak Street about 7.15am on Saturday November 29.
Both occupants had allegedly fled the scene when police arrived and searched the vehicle.
Officers allegedly located a semiautomatic rifle inside the car, leading to an urgent search for the occupants.
At around 10am, Amos and Chatfield were located on nearby Ford St, searched and arrested.
Police allege they found $9,627 cash during the search.
Investigators seized the vehicle, firearm, clothing and a hatchet found near the scene for forensic examination.
Both men appeared before online Bail Court Division 1 on Sunday November 30.
Amos was charged with three offences: possessing an unauthorised firearm, not keeping a firearm safely, and possessing an unregistered unauthorised prohibited firearm in a public place.
His next court appearance is at Orange Local Court on December 2.
Chatfield faced seven charges including possessing an unauthorised firearm, not keeping a firearm safely, acquiring a prohibited firearm while subject to a prohibition order, possessing an unregistered unauthorised prohibited firearm in a public place, receiving property stolen outside NSW valued between $5,000 and $15,000, hindering or resisting a police officer in the execution of duty, and breaching bail.
Documents before the court state Chatfield was already on bail from November 26 for charges including dishonestly obtaining property by deception, driving while disqualified, using an unregistered vehicle, and using a vehicle with an unauthorised number plate.
He will face Orange Local Court on December 2 on the earlier charges and appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on December 3 on the fresh firearm-related charges.
Both men did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.
Chatfield’s previously granted bail was revoked.
Pleas are yet to be entered.
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Originally published as Kye Amos, David Chatfield arrested in Bellingen crash: Rifle, cash, hatchet allegedly seized
