ECHO Taskforce detectives charged four people and seized firearms, cash and drugs following the theft of two tow trucks and a firearms incident in Mickleham on Sunday.
Police will allege that three people broke into a heavy haulage depot on Technical Drive, Craigieburn, allegedly stealing two Kenworth tow trucks at about 5.30am on Sunday.
CCTV alerted the victims to the theft and tracked the location of the stolen trucks via GPS.
When the victim arrived at the location of one of the trucks on Rosehill Boulevard, Mickleham, a man exiting the vehicle and fired two shots in his direction. The victim wasn’t physically harmed during the incident.
With the assistance of the Special Operations Group, a 34-year-old Glenroy man, believed to have discharged the firearm Sunday, was arrested at about 4.30pm on Monday.
A significant quantity of cash, quantities of what appear to be methylamphetamine and 1,4 Butanediol, and a round of ammunition were seized from his vehicle.
A search warrant was executed at his Glenroy address on July 11 where police subsequently located an AR-15 assault rifle, a WW2 Thompson submachine gun, a handgun, a gel blaster handgun, detonation cards, ammunition, false registration plates, various amounts of what appear to be crystal substance, GHB, methylamphetamine and other prescription medication, ammunition and identification in various names.
Detective Senior Sergeant Al Rumble, from Echo Taskforce, said the removal of the weapons would keep the community safe.
“There is no reason whatsoever for anyone to have these kinds of guns in their possession,” he said.
“An AR-25 is exactly what it says it is – an assault rifle.
“It has no other purpose other than to kill and they have been used in numerous mass shooting incidents across the globe.
“I have no doubt our community is a safer place with these weapons off the street.”
The Glenroy man was charged with more than 15 offences including reckless conduct endanger life, use firearm when firearm prohibition order applies, possess firearm when firearm prohibition order applies, two counts of commit indictable offence while on bail, traffick methylamphetamine, traffick 1,4 Butanediol and two counts of theft of motor vehicle.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on October 3.
A woman, 32, found in the company of the Glenroy man was charged with possess 1,4 Butanediol. She was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on December 6.
With assistance of police air wing, the second tow truck allegedly stolen on Sunday, was located at Roxburgh Park and intercepted by police from Broadmeadows.
A Craigieburn woman, 42, and a Meadow Heights man, 36, were arrested at the scene and charged with theft of motor vehicle and possess drug of dependence.
The woman was bailed to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on November 7 and the man remanded to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on October 2.
Investigators believe the incident was targeted.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au/report-a-crime.
