Police have arrested three people following a pursuit where a firearm was recovered in the state's west as part of Operation Regional Mongoose.
About 9.40pm yesterday (Saturday 13 April 2024), officers from Oxley Police District attempted to stop a vehicle allegedly travelling in excess of the speed limit along Cole Road, West Tamworth.
When the vehicle failed to stop a pursuit was initiated which was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
PolAir were able to monitor the vehicle where it stopped along Bulga Road, Kelvin, with three occupants exiting the vehicle.
With the assistance of the Dog Squad, two men and a woman were arrested a short distance away and taken to Tamworth Police Station.
A search of the vehicle located a .22 calibre rifle. Inquiries have established that the rifle was stolen from a property at Wallamore on Friday 29 March 2024.
The vehicle was also displaying incorrect registration plates.
Police will allege that the driver of the vehicle was a 26-year-old man who was the holder of a disqualified driver's licence.
He was charged with:
- Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period
- Use class B/C vehicle displaying misleading etc number-plate
- Police pursuit - not stop - drive at speed
- Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous
- Possess unauthorised firearm
- Driver not disclose identity of driver/passenger as required
It will be further alleged by police that a 22-year-old male passenger was charged in relation to a break and enter occurring at Tamworth on Monday 8 April 2024 where he was the driver of a vehicle driven from the scene.
The man was charged with two outstanding warrants along with:
- Agg B&E dwelling etc in company steal
- Never licensed person drive vehicle on road
- Possess unauthorised firearm
- Passenger not disclose driver's/other passenger's identity
The female passenger – aged 23 – was allegedly found in possession of a knife when arrested and was charged with:
- Possess unauthorised firearm
- Custody of knife in public place
- Fail or refuse to disclose identity as required
- Passenger not disclose driver's/other passenger's identity
All three were refused bail to appear at Tamworth Local Court today (Sunday 14 April 2024).
Operational Regional Mongoose is a high-visibility police operation to tackle serious property-related crime committed predominately by young offenders.
