Gun could be linked to stolen collection

A gun found on a man arrested at a Hamilton motel could be linked to a collection from a Hot Water Beach property.

The man, 29, was arrested at an Ulster St motel by the Armed Offender Squad on Sunday morning. Police said they found an automatic pistol, ammunition, methamphetamine and several syringes at the motel.

The man appeared in the Hamilton District Court yesterday charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. Drugs charges were likely, police said.

There was an outstanding warrant for the man's arrest for failing to appear at another court and police have linked him to fugitive Richard Duthie, 40, who was arrested recently after several weeks on the run.

Police allege Duthie was found with a Glock and Beretta 9mm automatics guns which had gone missing from a private 121-gun collection on the Coromandel Peninsula three months ago.

Hot Water Beach gun collector John Mabey, 43, reported the weapons stolen on July 28.

He was later charged with making a false statement.

Mr Mabey pleaded not guilty and maintains the guns were stolen, not sold.

Waikato CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Nicholls said the gun found in Hamilton on Sunday fitted the description of a weapon missing from the collection.

The serial number on the weapon had been removed.

He said gun possession was a growing and disturbing trend among those in the P scene.

- © Fairfax NZ News