Western Region Crime Squad detectives arrested three men and seized firearms and ammunition yesterday as part of an ongoing investigation into a series of rural burglaries, aggravated burglaries and thefts.
Detectives were assisted by the Special Operations Group who arrested a 27-year-old man in Queen Street Ararat, following a short foot chase, about 2pm.
Officers then executed warrants in Ararat and Creswick where nine firearms were found. The firearms seized included an alleged assault rifle, 303 Enfield bolt action rifle and several other rifles and shotguns.
A significant quantity of ammunition was also seized along with alleged crossbows, other weapons including knives and two conducted energy devices.
Two men aged 34 and 36, were also arrested at a property in Reed Street in Creswick during the execution of one of the warrants.
The 27-year-old man has been given with more than 30 charges including:
• burglary and theft (x6)
• theft of motor vehicle (x5)
• arson
• aggravated burglaries (x3)
• theft from motor vehicle (x5)
• conduct endangering life
• firearm offences
• possess traffickable amount of firearms
• prohibited person possess firearm
• firearm prohibition breaches.
The 34-year-old man has been charged with:
• burglary and theft (x3)
• theft of motor vehicle (x3)
• handle stolen goods
• prohibited person possess firearm
• aggravated burglary (x3)
• possess ammunition
• x 3 - including Blampied Theft of Firearms.
The 36-year-old man has been charged with:
• possess traffickable amount of firearms
• prohibited person possess firearms
• handle stolen goods
• possess ammunition
Detectives are investigating whether some of the firearms are linked to a burglary in Blampied in July and possibly to burglaries in 2021.
The three Creswick men have all been remanded in custody to appear before Ballarat Magistrates' Court today.
Western Region Crime Squad detectives were assisted by officers from Ballarat and Moorabool Crime Investigation and the Ballarat Divisional Response Unit.
The investigation remains ongoing.
