Operation Stinger Officers have recovered two firearms 48 hours after they were reported stolen.
Police were alerted in the early hours of Friday morning that the weapons were missing from a vehicle parked in a local motel.
Superintendent Brent Warren said there were several cars interfered with on the night and items taken from the vehicles included a laptop computer, fishing rods and alcohol.
“Officers from Operation Stinger and the Katherine Crime Scene Examination Unit attended and located a fingerprint on one of the vehicles which was sent for forensic examination.”
The Forensic Science Branch Fingerprint Section in Darwin fast tracked the request and quickly found a match.
“Based on the forensic results Stinger Officers executed two search warrants and the firearms were recovered along with four fishing rods and a laptop computer. Three people were taken into custody following the discovery of the items,” said Superintendent Warren.
The three men, two aged 20 and the other aged 25 were charged with Interfering with a Motor Vehicle, Stealing and Possess Firearms without a licence. They were bailed to appear in the Katherine Court of Summary Jurisdiction on 5 March 2012.
Supt Warren said that the excellent work by the attending Crime Scene Examiner and Investigators, combined with great support from the Forensic Science Branch in Darwin, had ensured the weapons were recovered quickly but urged people to be aware that valuables and firearms should be properly secured at all times.
“People are reminded to be vigilant in locking vehicles and securing car keys in order to avoid these kinds of opportunistic thefts.”
Operation Stinger commenced on the 5th of January and will continue to make an impact during February, having already made 56 arrests for a variety of offences
