Ash Bolt
Illicit Firearms Squad detectives have charged five men and seized nine firearms and a significant quantity of ammunition following an aggravated burglary in Grovedale last month.
Investigators have been told two men allegedly armed with a firearm and a knife entered the garage of a property near Torquay Road about 12.10pm on Monday, March 21, and confronted the 62-year-old male occupant.
The men allegedly stole 11 firearms from a gun safe, as well as ammunition, cash, identity documents and the victim’s car.
The occupant of the house was not injured.
Police, with the assistance of the Special Operations Group, arrested two men in Oak Park the following day.
The 35-year-old Kurunjang man and 23-year-old Melton man were charged a range of offences including home invasion, false imprisonment, assault, theft and drug offences.
The pair was remanded to face the Melbourne Magistrates Court on June 29.
A 35-year-old Hillside man was then arrested the following day and charged with possessing firearms and drug offences.
He was bailed, but was re-arrested two days later and charged with home invasion, aggravated burglary and theft of firearms.
He was also remanded to front Melbourne Magistrates Court on June 29.
Two other men, a 31-year-old Melbourne man and a 32-year-old Ashwood man have also been charged for their alleged connection to the incident.
Both men were charged with possessing firearms and handling stolen goods, while the Melbourne man was also charged with negligently dealing with the proceeds of crime and drug offences.
Police said they had seized nine firearms during the arrests.
Six of the firearms recovered were stolen during the Grovedale burglary, while the other three seized appeared to be unrelated to the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about illicit firearm activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to crimestoppersvic.com.au.
