Please attribute to Acting Field Crime Manager, Detective Senior Sergeant Kallum Croudis.
Just before 5pm on Tuesday October 25th, a burglary was reported to Police where a large number of military-style semi-automatic firearms and a significant amount of ammunition was taken from a Maitland Street, Dunedin address.
A total of 28 firearms were reported as stolen, comprising of five rifles and 23 handguns. The owner is a firearms licence holder and the firearms were securely stored.
Dunedin CIB staff commenced a scene examination and inquiries last night, and these will continue over the coming days.
"It is extremely important to recover any firearm that is in the wrong hands and Police are investigating this crime as a matter of priority," Detective Senior Sergeant Croudis says.
"As is often the case, members of the public are key to solving crimes such as this, so we encourage members of the public to report any suspicious behaviour."
Police would like to hear from anyone who has information that may be relevant to their investigation. That information could relate to vehicle sightings, or persons acting to hide, trade or sell these weapons.
Contact can be made with Detective Senior Sergeant Kallum Croudis by calling (03) 471 4800, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Members of the public are encouraged to contact Police on 111 if they observe any suspicious or unusual behaviour in their communities.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre