A 22 year old man from Conara and a 19 year old man from Blessington have been charged with firearms and traffic offences relating to an incident in Latrobe yesterday (11 November 2015).

At 12:25 pm police attempted to intercept a silver Toyota Camry in Latrobe.  The vehicle failed to stop and sped away from police, who did not pursue the vehicle.  Members of the public directed police to where the vehicle went and a short time later police located the vehicle dumped in a property in Benny Street, Latrobe.  Witnesses stated that the saw two males run off.

Inside the vehicle police located a loaded shortened rifle next to the driver’s seat, four other firearms and a quantity of ammunition.  It is alleged that four of these firearms had been stolen from burglaries in May and on 10 November in the Longford area.

As a result of police searches and information from the public, the 19 year old and 22 year old men were located.

Both men were interviewed by Devonport CIB and as a result the 19 year old man has been charged with firearms offences and unlawful possession of property and was granted police bail.

The 22 year old has been charged with several firearms offences including possessing firearms in contravention of a prohibition order, breach of bail, driving offences and two counts of unlawful possession of property.  He has been held to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court later this afternoon.

From information provided, Uniform police from Latrobe, Devonport, Western Road Safety and Public Order Section and CIB were able to successfully secure the area and locate the alleged offenders.

At no time were members of the public put at risk in relation to the firearms in the vehicle or during the search for the offenders.  Police would also like to thank the members of the public who assisted the officers in locating the vehicle and the offenders.

Devonport CIB would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the silver Toyota Camry driving in the Percival and Benny Street areas or saw the two males running on foot.  They can call Detective Acting Sergeant Robert WOODROW on 6478 4041 or Crime Stopper on 1800 333 000.