A LOADED rifle dumped after a suspicious driver triggered a police investigation has led to the seizure of three other firearms.
Around 10am on Saturday, Mount Gambier Police were conducting enquiries in Derrington Street when they noticed a man in a Ford hatchback attempting to evade the patrol.
They followed the vehicle around the block back into Derrignton Street where the man dumped the vehicle and fled.
Limestone Coast Police operations manager Inspector Campbell Hill said the single male occupant “did a runner” into adjacent properties.
“We had witnesses ringing through in real time giving us information and eventually some dumped clothing was found in the backyard of units,” Insp Hill said.
“Wrapped in the clothing was a loaded rifle.”
Cordons were established around the area and the State Emergency Service were called to assist while police ramped up the search for the man.
“We were probably there for around two to three hours going door to door, trying to locate him,” Insp Hill said.
“We wanted to make sure he was not bedded down in someone’s backyard, but unfortunately on this occasion he slipped through the net.”
A short time later, officers searched an address on Derrington Street where they seized another firearm, ammunition and drugs.
While no one has been arrested, Insp Hill said the investigation led to further enquiries at a premises on Boandik Terrace.
“At this location we arrested two people in relation to two sawn-off firearms, which were located at the property,” Insp Hill said.
“A third person at the property was also arrested for unrelated matters.”
Insp Hill said finding the weapons was concerning and urged people to report any information about illegal weapons.
“We are still investigating the reasoning and rationale behind the possession of these firearms, but it is obviously concerning,” he said.
“We often find these people are not abiding by the best practice of safety and to find one firearm dumped in a loaded state is particularly concerning.
“We treat it very seriously.”
Anyone with information can report it online at crimestoppers. com.au or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
