BY ISABEL EVERETT
Police have charged a man after he was allegedly found to be in possession
of a firearm in Lake Macquarie on Thursday.
Shortly before 12pm , officers observed a grey Volkswagen Golf allegedly accelerating
away from police on Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle.
A short time later, police located the car at a carpark of a
licensed premises on the Pacific Highway, Gateshead, with a female passenger
inside.
During a search of the vehicle, officers allegedly located a
sawn-off firearm that was wrapped in clothing and a plastic bag containing
ammunition.
The items were seized for forensic examination.
Following further inquiries, two men – aged 24 and 32 – were arrested inside
the venue and taken to Belmont Police Station.
The 24-year-old was charged with seven offences including:
- Possess unauthorised
prohibited firearm;
- Possess unregistered
firearm-prohibited firearm;
- Possess loaded firearm
public place;
- Possess ammunition without
holding licence/permit/authority;
- Possess shortened firearm
(not pistol) without authority;
- Not keep firearm safe; and
- Drive motor vehicle during
disqualification period.
The 32-year-old was charged with a breach of bail offence.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Friday.
Investigations are ongoing, anyone who may have witnessed a grey Volkswagen Golf between 11am and 12.30pm in the Newcastle area or who may have dashcam footage from the nearby area during these times is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
