Three guns have been stolen from a garage in Picton, leaving the owners worried about what they might be used for.

The three rifles were taken late Thursday night as the owners, an elderly retired couple, slept.

About 40 rounds of ammunition for one of the rifles was also taken.

Picton man Ian Johnson said the firearms, which he used for hunting, were locked in a gun cabinet that had two padlocks.

The guns were also chained up inside the wooden locker, he said.

No other items, including expensive electrical tools, were stolen.

The thief or thieves went straight for the guns, Mr Johnson said. He said he had never shown the gun cabinet to anyone.

"They must have cased the joint and known where they were," he said.

The culprits would have needed a torch as the garage floor was covered in wood and tools, he said.

"They didn't use the light because we would have seen that and they didn't use the [main] garage door because we would have heard that. So they must have used the side door."

The retired painter, who works in his garage most days, had left the door unlocked.

Mr Johnson said he would start locking the door.

His wife, Beth Johnson, said she was extremely concerned for the community.

People don't steal guns for nothing, she said.

Mr Johnson was worried they might be used in a robbery.

The three guns probably cost about $1000 in total but had sentimental value, he said. One was a World War II rifle while the others were gifts from his father and son-in-law.

Picton police has asked the community via their new Facebook page for help in catching the culprits and retrieving the weapons.

However, Mr Johnson wasn't hopeful of seeing the guns again, he said.

STOLEN GUNS DETAILS

.22 Bruno bolt action rifle with a leather strap (one end of strap tied with a shoelace); dark brown polished wooden stock; blued barrel; 10-shot magazine (empty); 35-40 rounds of .22 ammunition (unknown brand); open sight (no scope).

.303 P14 ex-army WWII rifle with bolt and six shot magazine fixed inside the rifle; dark brown wooden stock with blued barrel; leather strap on the rifle. Barrel is a little rusty and pitted.

7.62 ex-Pakistan Army rifle, with a full wooden stock and bolt (to end of barrel). Bayonet fixture at end but no bayonet. Lighter brown coloured stock. Magazine fixed inside the rifle.

 

If you have any information in regards to these firearms please contact the Picton Police station on 03 520 3120 or call anonymously via Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

- The Mirror

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