Police seek help in locating stolen guns after pair's arrest

Waikato Police are seeking the public's help in locating firearms stolen from
a home in the south of the City earlier this week.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Neville Ross of the Hamilton Tactical Crime
Unit said a 16-year-old girl and a 23-year old man were arrested yesterday in
relation to the burglary of a Slim St property on Monday.

"Seven firearms were among items taken in the burglary and yesterday's search
recovered three of these but four remain outstanding and we're asking people
to keep an ear out for anyone trying to sell such items.

"The outstanding firearms are a wooden, scoped Ruger M77 .270 calibre bolt
action rifle, a BSA .270
calibre rifle taken without its bolt, a green camouflage Browning Maxus
semi-auto shotgun and a Stoeger 12ga semi-auto shotgun and a .22 magnum rifle
of unknown manufacture."

Mr Ross said with Monday's theft following so quickly after the theft of
three firearms from a farm outside Huntly on Saturday it was clear firearms
security was an issue in both town and country.

"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 and why we
encourage owners of non-restricted firearms to consider photographing their
items and recording the serial numbers on the Operation SNAP database,
www.snap.org.nz [1].

"By doing so it becomes a huge benefit for investigators in trying to locate
stolen firearms if they have a serial number readily available and it also
helps victims in terms of proving ownership and making insurance claims so
don't put it off until tomorrow- SNAP to it!"

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the firearms is asked to
contact Mr Ross at the Hamilton Central Police Station 07 858 6200.

Alternatively, information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800
555