Teenage girl arrested over theft of a cache of firearms

Photo / File

A teenage girl and a man have been arrested over the theft of a cache of firearms in Hamilton this week.

Police have found three of the guns which were stolen from a property on Slim St on Monday, and are appealing to the public to help finding the others.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Neville Ross of the Hamilton police tactical crime unit said a 16-year-old girl and a 23-year-old man were arrested in relation to the burglary.

He asked people to "keep an ear out" for anyone trying to sell the outstanding weapons - a wooden, scoped Ruger M77 .270 calibre bolt action rifle, a BSA .270 calibre rifle without its bolt, a green camouflage Browning Maxus semi-auto shotgun, a Stoeger 12 gauge semi-auto shotgun and a .22 magnum rifle of unknown manufacture.

The theft came after three guns were stolen from a farm outside Huntly on Saturday, and it was clear firearms security was an issue in both town and country, Mr Ross said.

"That's why, as part of the ongoing lock 'em or lose 'em campaign, we urge gun owners to ensure their security is as strong as it possibly can be."

Owners of non-restricted guns were urged to consider photographing their items and recording their serial numbers on the Operation Snap database at www.snap.org.nz.

Having a serial number readily available helped investigators find stolen firearms, and also helped victims prove ownership and make insurance claims, Mr Ross said.