WEAPONS were seized by police in Aspendale and Parkdale last week as part of an operation across the Kingston and Glen Eira Council areas.
Victoria Police conducted nearly 50 firearm prohibition order checks between 9 October and 13 October for “Operation Relentless”. They seized a handgun from an Aspendale home, two machetes from Parkdale, a handmade firearm from Caulfield South, and a dagger from Clayton.
A 42-year-old man was arrested at the Aspendale unit and was charged with prohibited person possess firearm. He was bailed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on 8 April next year.
While arresting a 41-year-old Cranbourne man in Highett as part of the operation, Victoria Police say he sustained a “suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound”. His injuries are not life-threatening, police say.
Victoria Police Caulfield divisional response unit detective senior sergeant David Quirk said guns and other weapons needed to be removed from the streets to keep people safe.
“In recent times, we have witnessed a number of devastating incidents involving firearms within our community, leading to death and serious injury. While we know these incidents are overwhelmingly linked to organised crime, a small number have played out in public places in front of the community,” he said.
“Operations such as these target those who have been prohibited from possessing a firearm, including organised crime figures, outlaw motorcycle gang members, and people with a history of violence. As its name suggests, police are relentless in their efforts to remove firearms, imitations, and ammunition from the wrong hands, and make the community safer for everyone.
“Anyone who breaches their firearms prohibition order can expect a visit from us, and to be held accountable for putting others in harm’s way.”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 18 October 2023