Drug and Firearms Squad detectives with assistance from Chifley and South Coast Police Districts have charged three men for their roles in the alleged theft of 27 guns during a break and enter of a Lithgow Museum last week.
Police were called to the Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum on Methven Street, Lithgow, about 3.30am on Sunday 25 August 2024, following reports of a break and enter.
Officers attached to Chifley Police District arrived and were told three people broke into the museum and stole a number of high-value firearms before leaving in a silver Toyota Landcruiser.
About 5.25am the same day, police were called to Stockland Drive, Bathurst, where they found the Landcruiser on fire.
The vehicle, which is believed to have been stolen from Nowra on Friday 23 August 2024, was destroyed.
A crime scene was established at both locations and detectives attached to State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad – with assistance from officers attached to Chifley Police District and South Coast Police District – established Strike Force Ajo to investigate the incident.
Detectives were told the handguns – which are worth more than $200,000 – could be made operational.
Following extensive investigations and a public appeal for information, strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad – executed multiple search warrants in Vincentia, Nowra, Darby Falls and Sanctuary Point about 6am yesterday (Thursday 5 September 2024).
During the searches, detectives located and seized 13 of the 27 allegedly stolen firearms, a shortened shotgun, a BMW X5, seven NSW vehicle registration plates, shotgun ammunition, $3,500 cash, electronic devices and small amounts of methamphetamine and cannabis.
These firearms will undergo forensic examination as part of the investigation before being returned to the Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum.
Following the searches, strike force detectives arrested three men – two men, aged 46 and 27, at a South Nowra service station, and one 41-year-old man at a Sanctuary Point home – before taking them all to Nowra Police Station.
The 46- and 27-year-old men were charged with two counts of aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence.
The 41-year-old man was charged with aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and steal motor vehicle.
They were all refused bail to appear before Nowra Local Court today (Friday 6 September 2024).
Detective Superintendent John Watson, Commander of Drug and Firearms Squad, said he is incredibly pleased with the results of the investigation and that the goal of police now is to return the stolen firearms back to the museum.
"Detectives have done a great job locating these stolen firearms; however, there are still 14 firearms outstanding.
"We believe these firearms may have been sold to members of the public who aren't aware they are stolen. Due to this, we are asking those members of the public to return these firearms as quickly as they can." Det Supt John Watson said.
"NSW currently has an amnesty in place for unregistered and prohibited firearms meaning you will not be prosecuted for returning these firearms to a registered firearms dealer or Police Station.
"Detectives are working hard to return the firearms we did seize to the museum with the hope the public can continue to visit and learn about the history of these handguns," Det Supt John Watson said.
Investigations under Strike Force Ajo continue.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
