Police are appealing for public assistance following a break-in at a property in Gunnedah in recent days.
About 9am on Thursday (10 December 2020), officers from Oxley Police District received reports of a vehicle submerged in the Namoi River, in an isolated area behind a factory on Boggabri Rd.
Police located the vehicle, a Mitsubishi Triton utility, and investigations revealed it was registered to a man who lived on Oxley Way, Gunnedah.
Officers attended the property and established the residence had been the subject of a break and enter.
Police contacted the owner of the property who told them he had been away since the previous Saturday (5 December 2020).
Between 3pm Saturday (5 December 2020) and 9am Thursday (10 December 2020), investigators believe an unknown person/s used keys found inside the residence to open two firearm safes and remove five firearms, along with approximately 1500 rounds of ammunition.
Vietnam service medals and NSW Police service medals belonging to victim's family, jewellery and a stamp collection were also removed from the safes.
Along with the Mitsubishi Triton found in the river, an all-terrain performance vehicle and two motorcycles were missing from sheds on the property.
Officers from Oxley Police District established a crime scene which is being forensically examined.
Anyone with CCTV or dashcam vision from the area is urged to contact Gunnedah Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Inquiries are continuing.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
