BY DAKOTA TAIT
Three people have been charged and two firearms seized following a pursuit and ongoing investigations into alleged firearm thefts in the Hunter.
Earlier in June, officers with the Hunter Valley Police District began investigations into the alleged thefts of firearms from rural properties across the Upper Hunter Valley.
After inquiries, a PolAir fixed-wing aircraft began to follow a Landcruiser about 5pm on Tuesday afternoon, which was seen driving through Muswellbrook and Scone, after receiving reports it had allegedly been previously used in a number of thefts.
The vehicle was tracked to the car park of a fast-food restaurant on Kelly Street in Scone, when officers from Hunter Valley Police District attempted to stop the vehicle.
The Landcruiser allegedly rammed a police vehicle before driving from the scene.
PolAir continued to follow the vehicle to Swinging Ridges Road in Willow Tree, when one of the occupants of the vehicle climbed onto the rear tray of the Landcruiser and allegedly discharged several rounds from a firearm.
The Landcruiser continued to a station on Merriwa Road at Little Jacks Creek, where it entered bushland and the three occupants left the vehicle before fleeing into nearby bushland.
With the assistance of PolAir, officers located and arrested a man and two women in nearby bushland about 2.30am.
Police searched the area and located two firearms, which were seized for forensic examination.
Subsequent checks revealed the vehicle had been stolen from the Southern Highlands earlier this month.
The trio were taken to Muswellbrook Police Station, where the 26-year-old man was charged.
He appeared before Muswellbrook Local Court on Wednesday and was formally refused bail to reappear before the same court in July.
A 27-year-old woman was charged, but was granted conditional bail to appear before the court next month.
A 23-year-old woman also faces charges, and was refused bail to appear before the court on Thursday.
Police are continuing their investigations.
