Loaded cut-down rifle seized after gang insignia stop in Palmerston North
Police say a stop for an alleged patch breach led to a search that found a .22 with a round chambered, blades and ammunition; a 36-year-old is due in court today.
Police seized a cut-down .22 calibre rifle with a round chambered after stopping a man allegedly wearing a Black Power patch in Palmerston North.
Inspector Marty Gray said officers spotted the man about 8.50am on Tuesday on Highbury Avenue. He was stopped in his car on Birmingham Street. During a routine search, Police found rounds of ammunition in a resealable bag. A subsequent search of the vehicle located the modified rifle, a machete, knives and more ammunition.
A 36-year-old man is due to appear in the Palmerston North District Court today charged with two counts of unlawfully possessing a firearm, possessing an offensive weapon, prohibited display of gang insignia in public, and possessing a syringe.
“Finding a firearm that has been altered, loaded and is ready to fire is concerning. Getting it off the street is a terrific result,” Inspector Gray said.
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