Man charged over House Burglary – Firearms Stolen

A 35 year old man has today been charged with aggravated burglary and stealing after six firearms, including rifles and shotguns, were stolen from a private house in Dysart yesterday.

The man was also charged with:

• Aggravated assault x 2
• Attempted motor vehicle stealing x 2
• Stealing a firearm or firearm part

The firearms had been stored in accordance with legislative requirements.  The man was driving a white Toyota Prado 4WD and was in company with another person who as yet has not been found.  Anyone who may have seen the 4WD vehicle in Dysart yesterday can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au.

Last night the man was arrested at a house in Molesworth where attending police alleged he threatened them with a crossbow.  Unfortunately the stolen firearms have not yet been recovered.  The man will be remanded in custody to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court tomorrow morning.

Detective Inspector Craig Joel said: ‘Detectives have been investigating firearms thefts in southern Tasmania over the last three months and this arrest is a significant breakthrough in disrupting the illicit trade in firearms’.

Man charged over Attempted Armed Robbery of Taxi Driver

An 18 year old man has been charged with attempted armed robbery after he threatened a taxi driver in Elf Avenue, Glenorchy, with a firearm about 3.00am today.  The man demanded money of the driver who was able to drive off in his taxi uninjured.  Police are appealing for the driver of a white van who was driving along Bowden Street in Glenorchy and who who might have seen the robbery to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au.

The man will be remanded in custody to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court tomorrow morning.

Detective Inspector Joel said: ‘The man was arrested this morning without incident at a house in Glenorchy.  Unfortunately the firearm has not yet been recovered’.

Investigations continue into Claremont Hotel Robbery

Investigations continue into the robbery of the Claremont Hotel bottleshop last Friday night by a man who concealed his face with a homemade balaclava.

The man is described as 170-180 cm tall, Caucasian origin, wearing black Hurley track pants and black Nike sneakers.  He was carrying a Woolworths reusable white plastic bag with green handles.  The man fled with cash.

The man was carrying a bolt action rifle with rear striker, dark coloured stock cut down to a pistol grip and a silver cut down barrel.  A CCTV still and like image of the firearm is attached.

Police urge residents living near the bottleshop to check their garbage bins and yards and report anything out of place.

Detective Inspector Joel said: ‘Detectives would like to speak with anyone who may have owned or knows somebody who may have been in possession of a firearm matching this description’.

Anyone with any information about the robbery can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au.